Fraternal Order of Police president reacts to former Decatur officer charged with murder

FOP PRESIDENT — FOP President Everette Johnson

On Monday, Fraternal Order of Police President Everette Johnson weighed in on the former Decatur officer charged with murder.

Bailey Marquette was arrested and indicted Thursday for his involvement in the September 29th shooting death of Steve Perkins.

Johnson says he was disappointed the grand jury decided to charge former officer Marquette.

"An officer never leaves his house in search of harming anybody,” Johnson said. “An officer’s job is to serve and protect our communities, and when it becomes a tragic incident with a use of force, when an officer has to take a life, that’s a tragedy not only to the family involved but to that officer, for that officer's family who has to deal with that, to the agency associated with that officer.”

Johnson wouldn't answer directly if he agrees with Marquette’s charges nor did he have a comment about how Decatur Police has handled the Perkins situation thus far.

But he says like any case, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“Just because you have a grand jury indictment does not mean that there’s guilt associated with that indictment,” Johnson said. “It just means there’s enough probable cause to believe that something occurred but that doesn’t mean that he’s guilty of anything it’s just an indictment.”

Johnson says the community should hold out on judgment until the case goes to court and a verdict is reached by a jury.

He acknowledged many in Decatur have vocalized their dissatisfaction with police calling for major change within the department.

He fears if the Decatur community continues down this path, their police department will begin to see negative effects.

"We’re not here to protect bad officers by no means, but when an officer is out here doing their job, putting their life on the line and then they see administration that is not supporting them, or they do not feel like it’s supporting them, then chances are they’re going to go find somewhere where they can work and be supported not only by the community but by the administration,” Johnson said.

Johnson says a rise in violence against law enforcement plays a role in how officers react to what they see as threats in the line of duty.

“It seems like there’s a pattern within our nation and our state to rush to judgment on the actions of law enforcement and that there is a movement within our society to vilify law enforcement,” Johnson said.

Decatur City Attorney Herman Marks says the police department’s findings of Marquette’s policy violations won’t be released until the personnel board hearings at the end of the month.

WAAY 31 did reach out to Decatur Police Monday for a comment on Marquette’s charge - we were told to expect a response Tuesday.