WALKER FAMILY RESPONDS TO SHERIFF'S STATEMENT REGARDING SHOOTING

The family of Kenneth Walker has responded to Friday's statement by Sheriff
Ralph Johnson about his investigation leading up to the fatal shooting of
Walker on Interstate 185. The family has raised 11 points of concern about
Johnson's account of the events of that night. Below is the Walker family's
response to Johnson:

We feel the need to respond to Sheriff Johnson's statements made on January
17, 2004, as they relate to the Kenneth Walker shooting on I-185 on
December 10, 2003.

In our estimation paragraphs 4 and 7 of his prepared statement have no
bearing whatsoever on the I-185 shooting (statement provided on the Internet).

Other points of concern are:

1. On December 17, 2003, Sheriff Johnson announced in an interview
(Ledger-Enquirer December 17, 2003) that his department had concluded its
own investigation and had turned its findings over to the GBI. On January
17th, in a prepared statement made by the Sheriff, his internal
investigation was suspended and became a part of the GBI investigation.
Patience was called for until the GBI reaches a conclusion and before "I
resume my own investigation." (Does he have to wait?)

2. On January 17, 2004, Sheriff Johnson's statement mentioned only 2 marked
cars at the scene, however, according to his statement there was assistance
from the Metro Narcotics Squad Team and a Special Response Team that were
called to assist in the stop (Response based on info given by a "reliable
informant"). He also failed to mention the number of officers at the scene
during the melee.

3. The "reliable informant," according to the Sheriff's prepared statement,
stated that a passenger from the Yukon "looked like one of the Miami dealers."

4. Surprisingly too, in his prepared statement he mentions the removal of
the passengers from the vehicle. (Removal?)

5. In reference to his concern to follow policy and due process in the
suspension of the Deputy, it would be a good idea to follow policy and
procedure for all aspects of his duties as Sheriff of Muscogee County. It
is evident that policy and procedure were not followed in the stopping of
the Yukon.

The fact that the Sheriff's office has not had a shooting incident in over
10 years, and has not had a shooting related death in over 20 years is no
consolation for us as we deal with Kenneth's death.

6. Perhaps according to the Sheriff, this was not a "racially profiled,
random traffic stop" but it was a stop made by employees of the Muscogee
County Sheriff Department based on incorrect information given by a
"reliable informant".

7. In the statement given, the response for not releasing the name of the
deputy involved was his concern for not hurting anyone. What about the
Walker family and our feelings since December 10th? We're still devastated
by all of the questions surrounding the shooting five weeks later. Our only
information about the shooting has come from the media. The last direct
contact from the Sheriff's office was December 12th.

8. The prepared statement mentions that "The Walker family has been
contacted (indirectly) and a copy of this release will be provided to
them." As of 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 18th, no copy from the Sheriff's
office has been received, however, a faxed statement was received from a
concerned citizen on Friday.

As stated in the prepared statement, "As a life long citizen of Muscogee
County and in my 22 years of law enforcement, I have never experienced a
tragedy such as this." I concur, as a life long citizen of Muscogee County
and the mother of Kenneth, I have never experienced even reading let alone
participating in a tragedy such as this that has so many asides.

9. According to the Sheriff's statement Deputy Glisson was a Special
Response Team member but was assigned to the felony apprehension unit whose
service was to obtain a residential search warrant. The unit was called to
assist with the arrest because the men were supposedly armed and dangerous.
If he was assisting, should he have had been trained for the performance of
certain duties at the scene of an arrest? Surely his role should not have
been a dominant one.

10. The statement supposedly given to address the Kenneth Walker shooting
gave little information concerning the shooting on I-185. The emphasis
seemed to have been on drug related activities that did not take place at
I-185 South of Manchester Expressway over the Edgewood underpass. We're
still praying and waiting (it's been 5 weeks now) that some conclusion to
this case will soon be forthcoming and justice will be served.

11. Hopefully, no other family will have to experience such an ordeal due
to misinformation, mistrust and seemingly lack of concern from an elected
official for the welfare of ALL of its citizens.

The cacophony related to the I-185 shooting of Kenneth Walker needs to come
to an end. The unrevealed facts of the case need to be told. The same
participants in the cacophonic setting can bring an expedient resolution to
the questions surrounding the shooting if they so desire.