Dothan Police Asking for Community’s Help with Murder

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On July 20, 2024, Dothan Police responded to reports of a stabbing near the intersection of West Powell and Linden Street.  When officers arrived, they located the victim, identified as Damon Goodson (53) of Dothan, lying in the roadway with a stab wound to his upper torso.  Goodson was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.  Goodson, after undergoing surgery, was placed on life support.  On July 21, 2024, Goodson died from his injuries. The Dothan Police Department is asking for the community’s help in solving this case.

If you have information about the incident or had contact with Goodson in the 24-48 hours prior to July 20th, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 334-615-3632 or 334-793-0215.  The Dothan Police Department remains committed to seeking justice for Damon Goodson.  When violent crime occurs and someone loses their life, we mourn with the family and community in their time of loss.  Our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and support goes out to Damon Goodson’s family.

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Investigations of Local Shootings Result in Two Search Warrants: Police Seize 6 Guns and Drugs

Every shooting incident in Dothan is investigated by Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Division as well as the Gun Unit.  The Gun Unit has worked tirelessly to find those responsible for shootings in Dothan and take action.  Two search warrants, Hutchins Street and Lingo Street, executed by Dothan Police Department’s Special Response Team and Aviation Unit resulted in six individuals being arrested on various crimes as well as 6 firearms being seized.  All the individuals arrested are under the age of 16 and State Law prohibits releasing their information.  Of the firearms seized, there were five handguns and one AR-15 style rifle.

The charges for these individuals include Receiving Stolen Property 2nd degree (stolen firearms), Certain Persons Forbidden to Carry Firearms, Burglary 3rd degree, and Possession of Marijuana.

Chief Benny and the Dothan Police Department remain committed to public safety in the community.  The Dothan Police Department will continue to take an aggressive stand on this type of dangerous activity and asks for the community’s help.  If anyone has any information on crime activity, they are encouraged to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-793-0215.

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Comment Policy for Dothan Police Department Social Media Platforms

The purpose of the Dothan Police Department social media sites is to promote transparency and community engagement in the interest of public safety.  We welcome comments, but once posted, the Dothan Police Department reserves the right to report, hide or delete submissions that:

  • Contain Vulgar language;
  • contain personal attacks of any kind;
  • target or disparage any ethnic, racial or religious group;
  • are spam or include links to other sites;
  • are clearly off topic;
  • are repetitive comments or posts from the same individual;
  • are potentially libelous (false statements);
  • are obscene or explicit;
  • are hateful or mean-spirited;
  • advocate illegal activity;
  • promote particular services, products, or political candidates or organizations;
  • infringe on copyrights or trademarks;
  • embed images from external sources;
  • include private or personal information;
  • contain gory or disturbing imagery;
  • contain drugs or alcohol;
  • threaten, bully or harass; or
  • threaten the safety or security of the public or public systems.

Activity on all Dothan Police Department social media sites is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and policies. You must comply with all terms of use established by the service providers themselves.

Posting to or sharing information with the Dothan Police Department Facebook page can make your comments a public record and can involve you in police investigations or criminal and civil court cases. We are not responsible for any negative actions or reactions to your social media activities.  A copy of a PDF version of the rules are posted below.  

social media comment policy

Did you know? Internet Purchase Exchange Location at Dothan Police Department

Have you purchased something on the internet and want to find a safe place to meet the seller?  The Dothan Police Department has a place to do just that.

The Department has a designated space in front of the police department for internet purchase exchanges.  This designated space is under video surveillance as an extra safety precaution at any hour of the day or night.

The idea is to make these exchanges safer for the Wiregrass community, so they do not have to meet at a random location chosen by someone they do not know.  However, the Dothan Police Department is not responsible in any way for the value, authenticity or legitimacy of any transaction.  We are simply providing a safer space.  Check out the information sheet below.

Internet Purchase Exchange Info Sheet

Are Golf Carts “Street Legal”? Find Out Right Here

The Dothan Police Department gets several calls about golf carts and other similar vehicles on the roadway every year.  The rules for these vehicles can be confusing for both those driving and those having to maneuver around them.  We have developed an information sheet to help our citizens out.  These items are what makes golf carts “street legal” or not.  This post is also available on the Dothan Police Department app.

Golf Cart and LSV information sheet-1

Robber Gets More Than Property After Victim Pulls Her Own Firearm

On January 27, 2024, Dothan Patrol Officers responded to the report of a robbery and shots fired in the 2900 block of Ross Clark Circle.  After interviewing the victim and witnesses, it was determined that the victim came into contact with the suspect, identified as Bre’Yaun Vickers.  Vickers approached the victim asking for help with his phone.  As the victim and Vickers were walking, Vickers pulled out a firearm and demanded the victim’s property.  Vickers forcefully snatched the victim’s purse off her shoulder.  The victim, a lawful gun owner, pulled her own firearm to defend herself.  The victim fired one round at the suspect but missed him.  Vickers dropped the purse and ran away.  Vickers was located by responding officers and was reaching for his pockets.  After being given commands by the officer, Vickers followed officer’s orders and was taken into custody.  Officers located what appeared to be a firearm near where Vickers was taken into custody.  The firearm turned out to be a bb gun.  Vickers was arrested and charged with Robbery 1st degree.

Bre’yaun Jasiyah Vickers (20), Robbery 1st Degree- $60,000 bond

Man Charged with Assault after Friday Night Stabbing

On January 26, 2024, Dothan Police responded to an assault call at a residence in the 1100 block of Victoria Avenue.  After arriving, it was determined that the victim was stabbed with an edged weapon twice during a physical altercation with the suspect.  The suspect was identified as Simeon Johnson, 34 of Dothan, who was located after leaving the scene.  According to witnesses, the incident started when Johnson was asked to leave the residence.  The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Johnson was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd degree.

Simeon Lachez Johnson, Assault 2nd Degree- $2,500 bond

Dothan Man Charged with Robbery

On Sunday, December 24, 2023, 20-year-old Ty’darian Dy’shon Jackson of Dothan, entered CVS Pharmacy in the 1900 block of E. Main Street and attempted an electronic transaction with the business which was unsuccessful. After the unsuccessful transaction, Jackson, who was displaying a firearm tucked underneath his upper arm, demanded the employee give him money from the register. After being denied by the employee, Jackson exited the business without incident. Jackson’s identity was learned by investigators, and he was subsequently arrested on December 27, 2023, and charged with one count of Robbery First Degree. His bond was set at $60,000.00.

Ty’darian Dy’shon Jackson

Dothan Man Charged with Drug Trafficking

On December 5, 2023, Dothan Police Department Gun Investigative Unit (GIU) and Vice Division executed a search warrant in the 500 block of Mayo Street. During the execution of the search warrant, investigators contacted and detained Ernest Small. A search of the residence revealed numerous assault rifles, handguns, and pistols, to include AR-15 magazines, numerous AK-47 magazines, along with multiple cases of ammunition and firearm accessories.

Approximately 13 ounces of cocaine, to include paraphernalia supporting the sale of cocaine was located and seized along with numerous suspected Adderall pills and THC edibles. A large sum of U.S. currency, derived from illegal drug sales was discovered and seized.

Ernest Small, 35 years old of Dothan has been charged with Drug Trafficking, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Ernest Timotheus Small – Drug Trafficking, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 

Dothan Man Charged with Sex Crimes

In August of 2023, it was reported to the Dothan Police Department that a juvenile under the age of 12 was a victim of sex crimes that had taken place in the city limits of Dothan. A thorough investigation was started at that time. As a result of the ongoing investigation, on October 31, 2023, investigators arrested Derrick Wayne Oliver, 45 years old of Dothan, and charged him with one count of Rape First degree and three counts of Sodomy First degree. Oliver was booked into the Houston County Jail with a total bond of $240,000.00.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no further information will be released.

Derrick Wayne Oliver
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