The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 3 - January 16, 2008
Squawk Box
Man Found Dead - Continued from page 1
from page 1
write my son a ticket for careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. While the very
vestigation. Through the investigation, the
perturbed patrolman wrote the ticket Bob Jackson showed up at the DHS parking lot and gave
State Attorney's Office issued a warrant for Randolph Markham on January 9, 2008. The
my son the lecture of a lifetime. I can't recall all of what my son said Chief Jackson said to him
allegations and the alleged offense occurred during the time frame of 1999 and 2003.
but the words "bonehead", "irresponsible", and "outright stupidity" are etched in my son's
On January 9, 2008 at 1:29 P.M. the Levy County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call
memory forever. The ticket the highway patrolman wrote was deserved and neither my wife
from 7850 SE 175 Ave. The caller stated that they found Mr. Markham unresponsive, in a shed
and I nor my son objected. The lecture, followed by a heart-to- heart pep talk Jackson gave my
behind the residence. Upon arrival at the residence, Deputy Darrell Cothron and Fire Rescue
son, was not only accepted, but welcomed. Jackson made a headstrong 17 year old realize that
personnel attempted to revive Mr. Markham, to no avail. There is no foul play suspected in
his actions had let a lot of people down and hurt his own reputation. He also emphasized that
Mr. Markham's death and he left notes inside the shed of his innocence in this case. It is
it was not the end of life as we know it and to learn from the experience. Life did go forward for
believed that Mr. Markham died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
my son and he did learn from the experience. To this day he has great respect for Bob Jackson
Markham was employed at Romeo Elementary School as a third grade teacher. The
and so do my wife and I.
alleged offenses did not occur at school or on school property.
I have seen Jackson in action in the community of Dunnellon many times in my roles
as a little league coach, DHS booster, and citizen of Dunnellon. He is always positive, always
Escapee Caught - Continued from page 1
glad to lend his support to those who need and deserve it and always has a sense of fairness.
Dunnellon is indeed fortunate to have a man as dedicated, principled and compassionate as
rections. Coursey was tracked to the intersection of Lecanto Rd. and Grover Cleveland Blvd.,
Bob Jackson to head the city's police department. He has lasted a long time in a position that
but his scent was lost and his footprints were obscured, due to the rain.
is known for rapid turnover. When high school football coaches and police chiefs are hired in
On Monday morning, officers found Coursey hiding in a 2008 Coachman travel
small towns it is said that the most pertinent advice for them would be to rent, not buy a house.
trailer that was parked at a residence located at 3825 S. Lecanto Hwy. (Hwy. 491) near the
Jackson defied that old saw and made a commitment to the citizens of Dunnellon: He bought.
Central Florida Community College campus, within two miles of the location where he had
He will be a tough act to follow.
been spotted on Sunday. Coursey was arrested and returned to the detention facility without
Inglis Debating Chief's
Job
incident. He was charged with escape (no bond) and burglary with battery ($25,000 bond).
According to reports of the incidents, Coursey admitted to escaping from the deten-
tion facility and hitting the man with the hammer, however, he told officers that he did not
intend to harm the man, he was just trying to leave the shed. Coursey told officers that he
At last week's Inglis commission
meeting
stayed in the man's shed on Friday night, then left the shed and went into the woods during
from the two month notice of resignation in his contract. In Bible's proposed leave to go to
the daytime on Saturday. He said he returned to the shed Saturday evening and spent the
Iraq for the government and advertisement of the position, Attorney Fugate said until you
night there. Coursey told investigators that they could find the hammer he'd taken from the
have a resignation from Bible, you have a police chief. Commissioner Lake responded that we
shed on top of the travel trailer where he was arrested.
can't advertise for a position that is not vacant. Let this go until we get a physical resignation.
Coursey was also wearing blue jeans he told officers that he'd also taken from the
Bible said when he does resigns, he would sit with Commissioner Smith and interview for the
shed. Coursey admitted to forcing his way into the travel trailer to elude law enforcement. He
new chief. If the position is not filled, Bible said Sgt. Brandon Roberts can run the office until
said he'd entered through the back window and that he'd eaten three hot dogs and drank half
a chief can be found but Smith said that Brandon is a young officer and can't take over in the
a beer. In the travel trailer, detectives noted that Coursey had taken clothing from the front of
chief's position. Bible reported that Tommy Mashburn said he had too much on his plate right
the travel trailer that belonged to the owner, and that he'd placed two kitchen knives on top of
now to fill the police position. It was brought up by Richard Kellman that Sheriff Smith offered
the clothing, along with a chisel that had been removed from a bucket in the garage of the
before to help but Commissioner Smith said Sheriff Johnny Smith has never come through
residence where the trailer was parked. Detectives assumed that Coursey had used the chisel
when help was asked for and no excuses were offered.
in an attempt to pry the travel trailer door, which was still locked, as the owner stated there
Bible said he wanted to make his resignation effective a week after he leaves and use
were no pry marks on the door previously.
some of his leave and wanted to know "if I submit a resignation and then don't leave can I
Newscaster by the Numbers: 352 447-4588
rescind my resignation?" Bible also asked to fill the position of recently resigned policeman
352-621-4588 Fax: 1-800-385-6736
Ronald Byrd with a reserve but Clerk Sally McCranie said the job had to be advertised.
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