By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Man allegedly tries to draw gun on officer
Placeholder Image

An Ellabell man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly attempted to point a gun at a Pembroke police officer during a fight.

The arrest was made around 4 a.m. Saturday outside of the American Legion Hall in Pembroke after a confrontation between the alleged armed man and a Pembroke Police officer, according to PPD Chief Bill Collins.

"We may be a small town, but we often face some of the same dangers that are experienced in larger metropolitan areas," Collins said. "This incident could have easily taken a wrong turn resulting in an injury or death, so incidents like this greatly concern me and serve as a reality check."

According to the incident report, PPD Officer Greg Atwood responded to the call of a man, 47-year-old Ellabell resident Willie Bacon, lying on the steps of the building. By the time Atwood arrived at the scene, at 3:58 a.m., he reported he found Bacon intoxicated and lying face down in a wooded area near the American Legion Hall – where a party was taking place.

Atwood then ordered Bacon to get on his feet, and Bacon denied the officer’s request. This was reportedly followed by the man visibly reaching for a pistol in his back pocket. Atwood drew his gun on Bacon and told him to take his hand out of his pocket. A struggle ensued with Bacon allegedly continually trying to pull his gun out of his pocket.

Atwood reported using a tazer to detain Bacon, and said it took charging the weapon "four times before I could gain control of the (suspect’s) gun." Bacon is being held on a $3,500 bond at the Bryan County Jail and faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed weapon.

In other PPD news, the department reports that they are once again operating at nearly full force. Atwood, Salvador Gemualdi, and Matt Lynn recently joined the force. Collins said he is pleased with his new additions and is still looking for one more officer.

Sign up for our E-Newsletters