April 25, 1991 -- Dec. 8, 2008Though numerous teen deaths saddened families and communities in South Mississippi during 2008, no other brought as much attention and controversy as that that followed the death of Billey Joe Johnson Jr.
A standout football player at George County High School, Johnson died during the early morning hours of Dec. 8 after he was stopped by a Lucedale police officer. It was that very police presence without any corroborating evidence of the death and the initial investigation of the scene that caused the teenager's family to question the circumstances of his sudden and shocking death.
They asked for an independent investigation by the NAACP, which has been led by President Curley Clark of the Moss Point - Jackson County Chapter, and state chapter vice president.
Media reports said the Benndale resident died from a shotgun blast to the head after he was pulled over on Mississippi 26 for running a stop sign and red light, according to Police Chief Garry Welford. The death made national headlines because of Johnson's outstanding athletic achievements.
According to www.sunherald.com, Johnson's parents -- Billey Joe Sr. and Annette -- were upset that they were notified of their son's death after his football coach Al Jones was called to the scene to identify the body. The family also was not allowed to view the 17-year-old's remains at the scene during the initial investigation that took place over several hours and well into the afternoon of Dec. 8.
To avoid a conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety, Chief Welford called in the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the state Bureau of Investigation and the District Attornery's Office of Jackson and George Counties to investigate the death.
Welford initially said he could not tell if Johnson shot himself or if the shotgun went off accidentally, as reported by www.wlox.com and the Press-Register at www.gulflive.com. The officer at the scene said he was about to call in the traffic violations when he heard a shot and breaking glass and then saw Johnson on the ground next to the open door of his truck. The officer said the gun was lying atop Johnson's body.
Rumors abounded after the teenager's death before District Attorney Tony Lawrence called for calm and assured the public and Johnson's family that his untimely passing would be thoroughly investigated, as reported by regional media. Lawrence met personally with Johnson's family before a public funeral service and later private burial at Fairley Creek Cemetery in Blackcreek.
Days after the teenager's death, media reports said that Johnson had been identified as the suspect in an attempted break-in at the home of his former girlfriend. Reportedly, the student and her mother were on their way to Lucedale's police station to file charges against Johnson at the time his death was called into law enforcement.
Clark and attorney Jerome Carter of Mobile had an independent autopsy performed on the 17-year-old running back before an estimated 600 to 800 students and residents attended his funeral services Dec. 20 at George County Middle School gymnasium. Carter said the autopsy was inconclusive because part of Johnson's head and face were still with the state medical examiners office.
Neither Clark nor Carter believe Johnson committed suicide, and Clark has said the only other possibilities for the death are accidential shooting and homicide. They cited statements from family and friends that the student athlete had too much to live for to kill himself.
Johnson was well-liked and admired by his coaches, students, teachers and community leaders. He was known for his leadership, Christian life, and football skills.
During his junior year he completed 1,529 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Rebels team, and had gained about 4,000 yards total during his football years. He was being recruited by colleges including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Louisiana State, and Oregon.
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