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Man murdered at home
Suspect tried to burn down house, kill bed-ridden wife
Published Friday, May 15, 2009
A Dozier man was found murdered Thursday morning and his bed-ridden wife was left to burn to death inside their Odom Road home, just south of the Crenshaw County line.
Sheriff Dennis Meeks said law enforcement was called to the scene shortly after 8 a.m. when a caregiver arrived and found the house on fire. Emergency personnel quickly responded to the blaze, he said.
“When we arrived, we were able to enter through the garage area to the main portion of the house, which was filled with smoke,” he said. “(Firemen) made entry through an outside door, whose frame was on fire. We were able to use a water hose to put out the fire in the main house.
“Once inside, (law enforcement) attempted to enter a bedroom but found the door locked. We busted in the door and found an elderly gentleman, later identified as the homeowner, Travis Sasser, in a chair, dead.”
Meeks declined to specify exactly how Sasser was killed, stating only, “it’s still under investigation at this point.”
Sasser’s wife, Merita, was pulled from the home by members of the Alabama Beverage Control Board, Gantt, Dozier and Rose Hill volunteer firemen and sheriff’s deputies.
“As we continued to clear the house — we knew there was an elderly female bed-bound in the home,” he said. “We found her and got her out, thankfully. She was then transported from the scene by Lifeflight to a Dothan hospital for smoke inhalation.”
No information was released on her condition, he said.
At present, a motive has not been determined; however, Meeks did confirm two people were interviewed throughout the day in connection with the incident, including the son of the caregiver, who lived in the Sassers’ garage, as well as the caregiver who reported the fire.
Additionally, at approximately 11 a.m., members of the Incident Response Team, Andalusia and Opp police departments and Probation and Parole officers stormed the Sunset Inn and detained an unidentified man deemed a “person of interest” for questioning. He was later released, Meeks said.
“We’re putting the pieces together, but as of right now, there are no suspects,” he said. “We’re going to be working on into the night processing everything and working to solve this crime.”
A large number of law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including representatives from the county’s district attorney’s office, the state fire marshal’s office, Dozier and Opp police departments, and the Alabama Department of Forensic Science.
This is Covington County’s first homicide of 2009.
Comments
Posted by Blondie (anonymous) on May 15, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to say Thank You to all of the area teams that responded to this sad situation yesterday!! People can say what they want to about our Volunteer Fire Depts. But I feel safe knowing that they are here in case I were to ever need them!! Others should be this thankful also!!
I would like to talk about the dedication of one officer more than anything. Officer Terry Mears, Police Chief Of Dozier. I know that when an officer is sworn into office that it is to serve and protect all, and he did. See Yesterday was the funeral of Terry's Mom, Sarah Lunsford, and yet he was there doing what he could do at this residents to help these people out. Terry didnt even have time to change cloths, take a shower or anything before his moms service! He came straight in an escorted his mom in to the church for her service.
If this doesnt show dedication, I dont know what does or will!!
So next time you want to talk trash about our local fire depts. or rescue squad or police dept. take a look at what they go thru, or the things that they have to deal with in their lives also, then maybe you wont be so fast to judge them!
Prayers to Terry and his family, as to the family members that lost a loved one in this tragic event! May God Bless them each!
Posted by jamthree (anonymous) on May 15, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yes.thank you volunteers.you help us all rest a little easier.none of us knows when we will need these guys.dont take them for granted
Posted by Kathy052 (anonymous) on May 15, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blondie you said it all when you said that. People never know what is going to happen next and these people put these lives on hold for all of us.God Bless all of them.
Posted by fromabove (anonymous) on May 15, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am pro-fire, the statement that I made is not putting our county depts at fault. They are doing the best they can with what they have and are doing an excellent job at it. The fault lies in the hands of the State of Alabama. The closest classes to further training our heros is in Dothan. They would also have to pay out of pocket for such. They volunteer their time, why would they have to pay to say peoples lives?
I know the Gantt did an excellent job. They deserve kudos for it!!!
Posted by jonweaver (anonymous) on May 15, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
do they have kids
Posted by TD (anonymous) on May 15, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes a son I was told, I also was told that they were shot before the house was set on fire. I also was told that who ever did this poured gas or something in the house and set it on fire. But I was told they turned the guy lose. They talked to him and turned him lose. But I do not know why. I quess that they think that he did not do it I do not know.
Posted by family (anonymous) on May 18, 2009 at 8:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
they also have a daughter that lives in ga. many grandchildren and great grandchildren. I dont think it was a gunshot. I think it was blunt force trama.
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