News and Events

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On June 20, 2025, around 4:30 pm, Dothan Police and Dothan Fire Department Paramedics responded to a medical call at a trailer park in the 2200 block of South Oates Street.  According to the caller, the victim, identified as Torie Lynn Strickland (32) of Dothan, was unresponsive outside the mobile home.  Dothan Police Officers immediately started life-saving measures when they arrived on scene, which included the administration of Narcan.  Strickland was transported to a local hospital where she continued to receive treatment.  Sadly, Strickland passed away in the hospital on June 23, 2025.  Evidence on the scene led officers and investigators to determine it was likely a drug overdose.  Strickland’s body will be transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.

The joint investigation with Houston County Sheriff’s Office into Strickland’s death revealed that George Trierweiler (44) of Dothan and Mitchel Folds (32) of Dothan supplied Strickland with Fentanyl, which ultimately caused her death.  Trierweiler and Folds have been charged with Manslaughter-Fentanyl and placed in the Houston County Jail.

The new law, which was signed by Governor Ivey in 2024, makes it a criminal offense to knowingly furnish a substance known to contain fentanyl to someone who dies as a proximate result of the use of the substance.  The goal of the law was to hold those accountable for distributing this dangerous substance in our community.  The possession and distribution of this dangerous drug will not be overlooked in the City of Dothan, and the Dothan Police Department will vigorously support prosecutions for those involved in possessing or dealing fentanyl.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Strickland’s family and friends as they mourn this terrible tragedy.

Folds and Madalynn Mae Bean (33) of Dothan were also charged with Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance by the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force following a search of the residence.  The Dothan Police Department thanks the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force Division B for their assistance in this investigation.

-Chief William E. Benny

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On June 17, 2025, just after 1:00 pm, Dothan Police Officers responded to the 400 block of East Spring Street to reports of a victim suffering from a gunshot wound.  Officers arrived on scene and found the victim deceased from a single gunshot wound.  Investigators immediately began forensically processing the scene and attempting to locate the suspect, who had fled the scene after the shooting.  The victim was identified as Brittney Alise Henderson (39) of Dothan.  The suspect, Vincent Phillips (22) of Dothan, has been arrested and charged with Capital Murder and being held without bond.

According to the preliminary investigation, Henderson was on her back porch when approached by the suspect, who only knew Henderson as a neighbor.  There was a very brief interaction when the suspect drew a firearm and pointed it at Henderson.  The suspect then fired one round killing Henderson.  At this point, there are several avenues of investigation that need to take place.  In the coming days, investigators will continue to pursue leads in determining the motivation for this terrible act of violence.

The Dothan Police Department wants to thank the community for their assistance and support during the early stages of this investigation.  Investigators will work tirelessly to determine all the circumstances surrounding this crime.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Brittney Henderson as they grieve this devastating loss.  If anyone has any information that could help in this investigation, they are encouraged to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3632 or 334-793-0215.

-Chief William E. Benny

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 27, 2025, just after 5:00 pm, Dothan Police Communications Center received a call from a local hospital of a juvenile under the age of 12 being treated for a suspected gunshot wound in the lower body.  As officers were responding to the hospital, it was reported the gunfire occurred on Kristie Road in Dothan.  Officers responded to the area of Kristie Road to attempt to locate the crime scene.  After an investigation, investigators were able to locate and charge Octavenious Thomas (36) of Dothan with Assault 1^st degree, Attempted Assault 1^st Degree, and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.  Thomas was placed in the Houston County Jail with bonds totaling $450,000.

The investigation found that two adult males were involved in a verbal altercation on Kristie Road.  One of the males was Octavenious Thomas.  The verbal altercation became physical and, as the male and the juvenile were in their vehicle leaving the scene, Thomas and another individual began shooting at the vehicle.  The juvenile, who was not involved in the altercations, was struck twice, once in the lower body and a graze wound to the lower body.  The juvenile was treated at a local hospital with non-life threatening wounds.  Thomas was apprehended soon after the call was received and charged with the shooting.  More arrests are possible.

This kind of indiscriminate violence will not be tolerated in the City of Dothan.  Dangerous actions like these will have serious consequences.  We are committed to working with the Houston/Henry County District Attorney’s Office to help prosecute individuals involved in violent crimes to the maximum extent allowed by law.  We want to thank the members of the community who provided information during the investigation.

-Chief Will Benny

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On March 17, 2010, Dothan Police Officers responded to Dedert’s Furniture Store at 966 South Park Avenue for reports of a person suffering a medical event.  When officers arrived, they realized the victim, who was identified as Grace Bell Bridges, was suffering from a single gunshot wound.  Tragically, Grace Bridges was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The investigation led investigators in 2010 to believe the motive was an attempted robbery that led to the death of Bridges.  Unfortunately, the case went unsolved for more than 15 years despite some promising leads.

No murder case that is unsolved is ever closed.  Cold cases are regularly reviewed as technology evolves and new investigators are assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division.  Investigators, armed with a fresh perspective, went over the evidence and reinterviewed witnesses as a part of the review for this case.  After the review, investigators felt they had enough evidence to seek an indictment of the person they believed was responsible for the crime.  In consultation with the District Attorney’s Office and District Attorney Russ Goodman, investigators presented their evidence to a Houston County Grand Jury.  On April 9, 2025, the Houston County Grand Jury returned an indictment on the suspect, a 32 year old male who was 17 at the time of the crime, for the murder of Grace Bridges.  The subject was taken into custody on the outstanding murder indictment on April 9, 2025 and placed in the Houston County Jail.  Since the offender was under 18 at the time of the crime, Alabama Juvenile Privacy laws prohibit releasing any other information.

While the case had gone unsolved, investigators never gave up in trying to identify Grace Bridges’ killer and bring them to justice.  It is our hope that Grace Bridges’ family can finally feel some semblance of peace knowing her killer has been identified and charged even though we know nothing can bring Grace back.  The unwavering determination of investigators in 2010 as well as the investigators who obtained the indictment is a testament to their relentless pursuit of justice to identify those responsible for the death of Grace Bridges and bring them to justice for her family.  Our thoughts are with Grace Bridges’ family as they move to the next chapter in their search for justice for Grace’s death.

The Dothan Police Department extends our deepest gratitude to the numerous witnesses who came forward from 2010 to 2025 and to Grace Bridges’ family for their steadfast commitment to justice and support of the Dothan Police Department.

-Chief Will Benny

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(DOTHAN, Ala.)  On April 2, 2025, just before 11:00 pm, Dothan Police Officers responded to reports of a subject with a firearm at the intersection of North Range Street and Alabama Avenue.  When officers arrived on scene, the subject matching the description given by the citizen who reported the incident started running from the scene.  As officers gave chase, the subject was joined by two other individuals.  One of the individuals pointed a firearm at the officer and fired a single round.  Fortunately, the officer was not struck and was unharmed.  All three suspects were able to escape that night despite K-9 officers attempting to track the subjects.

The Dothan Police Department Gun Unit was working on an unrelated case and responded to start the investigation.  During the course of the investigation, investigators were able to identify the person who pulled the trigger as a 15-year-old juvenile.  Investigators were able to develop enough probable cause the juvenile was responsible for the shooting and have charged the juvenile with one count of Attempted Assault 1^st of a Peace Officer.  The juvenile was placed in the Southeast Alabama Diversion Center as the request of a Juvenile Probation Officer.

Due to Alabama’s juvenile privacy law, no further information can be released at this time.  The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the citizens who initially reported the incident as well as those who helped aid in the investigation.  Actions like these will not be tolerated in our community.  Whether someone is committing gun violence in the community or on a sworn law enforcement officer, the Dothan Police Department will find those who violate the law, who put citizens and officers in danger, and will fully hold them accountable according to the law.

Chief William E. Benny

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