DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MURDER-SUICIDE

A little over 24-hours ago, there was a shocking murder-suicide at the Chevron station on Denton Road in Dothan which police think was the result of a domestic dispute that left three dead, one of which was a one-year-old. Ironically, October is Domestic Violence Prevention Month, and yesterday, WDHN attended a Press Conference with several local agencies, all working together to stem the tide against domestic tragedies like this one. Chief John White said, "obviously someone needs to burn in hell for killing that baby...it`s one thing man against man, but to a child...is beyond understanding." What Chief White is referring to is the horrible aftermath of a domestic dispute gone wrong, with three lives lost by gun point Monday night. June Lee Bolden of Dothan, with baby Ivon in tow, agreed to meet her abuser, Nicholas Sandrell Farrier of Midland City. This case involved a domestic violence third degree arrest last Friday morning. Chief White said, "we did all the things we should have done...worked with the victim...made available resources from the three partner agencies..Sadly, that victim refused to follow the safety plan, and we find that to be a current problem and would like to work to change that trend." The murder-suicide that happened behind the gas station Monday night had nothing to do with the planned press conference yesterday, but Chief White says, it indeed is the reason why the domestic program is so important. He said, "we are going to staff an office at the Department of Human Resources with an investigator. His primary responsiblity will be to follow up with domestic violence complaints. We feel it`s a crucial issue in combating domestic violence cases." There were one thousand three hundred seventy-seven cases of domestic violence reported last year in Dothan alone, not including at least fifty percent more than that go unheard...victims living in fear with no where to turn. Sheryl Walker of the Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center says,"children hear the arguments and fights between parents, and wonder when they go to bed, if mother will be alive the next day. It effects everyone, and whether we like it or not, we are all responsible." Chief White said the laws have changed, and the officer can make an arrest, or even a threat can be removed. He is hoping that the new Proactive Program will make an impact in protecting the victims of domestic violence, even one case will make it all worth while. Chief White also says strict enforcement of Alabama`s Domestic Violence laws will help police hold offenders accountable for their actions.