By Dispatch Staff Report November 19, 2009 11:42:00 AM
With one suspect in jail and others suspected of involvement, investigators continue to probe a Friday arson at the home of a Caledonia marshal.
The arson occurred at about 10 p.m. at 78 Main St. in Caledonia, according to Detective Ryan Rickert, of the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.
The house belonged to Larry Swearingen, who has served as Caledonia marshal for four years and as an assistant supervisor with the LCSO, for 11 years.
Damage to the home was "pretty substantial," Rickert said, noting near total losses for the garage, kitchen and dining room, as well as smoke damage throughout the home. A sheriff's patrol car in the driveway also was heavily damaged as was a boat in the garage.
District 1 firefighters responded to the scene.
After speaking to witnesses, investigators located and arrested Ray Lashawn McDuffie, 22, of 17 N. Church St. in Caledonia, Tuesday on charges of arson and accessory after the fact.
Swearingen may have been targeted for his role as a law enforcement officer.
"I'm sure it played some role in it," said Rickert.
Statements from witnesses indicate there were others involved in setting the fire, which started in the carport, he said.
McDuffie was arrested in Clay County and is being held in the Clay County Jail on $75,000 bond for the arson charge and $15,000 for the accessory charge.
Neighbors of McDuffie were arrested Monday in Caledonia on burglary charges.
Ryan Patrick Perkins, 17, of 28 N. Church St. in Caledonia, and Christopher Allen Burns, 19, of the same address, were arrested in Caledonia by the LCSO for burglary.
Susan | 11/19/2009 1:25:00 PMmark as inappropriate Glad you finally "broke" this story since it happened almost a week ago..
me | 11/19/2009 1:42:00 PMmark as inappropriate They probably waited until the packet came out to get the facts from it.
tom | 11/19/2009 1:44:00 PMmark as inappropriate Some things have to be kept quiet until all suspects are in custody. I'm sure that the talk around town was enough of a distraction for investigators without the media getting involved. I wish people would use the good sense God gave them.
And to all involved in the arson, I hope you have fun in jail!!! And I hope the judge gives you the maximum time allowed by law!!! Larry is a great friend of my family, he and my husband work together and the law enforcement "family" really looks out for each other. The people who did this do not deserve a slap on the wrist. When men and women becaome officers of the law, they do it to protect and serve the community and this is the thanks Larry got. It is a shame!!! If there are others involved I hope you slip up and get caught because you do not deserve to walk free. I am proud of the Lowndes Co. Sheriffs Dept. for handling this in such a timely manner. I hope this doesn't drag on in court forever. Put them in jail and forget about them!
I | 11/19/2009 1:53:00 PMmark as inappropriate I guess Steve was at home otherwise they might have got his house too.
LEO | 11/19/2009 9:23:00 PMmark as inappropriate Things like this is actually one of the risks you take with being the police. Especially if you are proactive. I'm just happy Larry wasn't home at the time.
Lamar | 11/20/2009 7:47:00 AMmark as inappropriate I've known Larry for quite a while. He is a great guy and did not deserve this, nor did his children. I too am glad he was not at home at the time and I know he will have support from friends, the great town of Caledonia and the Sheriff's office. I hope the remark about Steve wasn't a snide one, because he is an excellent deputy as well. Both of these men perform their duties to the best of their capabilities and are well respected members of the community. I wish all the best for them both.
TD | 11/20/2009 8:31:00 AMmark as inappropriate I don' follow your logic Tom. Keep things quiet?????
I was driving through Caledonia Saturday. The fire was long out - meaning no firetrucks, no smell of smoke but yards of police tape. This was news that should have been reported with comments that the investigation is on-going.
But I forgot .... this is the Dispatch we're talking about and they probably think Caledonia is in Monroe County rather than Lowndes Co.
JC | 11/20/2009 9:24:00 AMmark as inappropriate It takes a special kind of stupid to burn a LEO's house.
Mel | 11/20/2009 10:30:00 AMmark as inappropriate Steve, garbage? You've got to be kidding me! He and Larry are great at their jobs!! I can promise you that when you need help from law enforcement, they are the guys to have around! I've known Steve to go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the public feels safe.
HK | 11/20/2009 11:39:00 AMmark as inappropriate That is jsut mean --a house burned is a tragic thing.. no one deserves to have that done to their home. You should be ashamed for even thinking the thought. I say lock up the thugs for a long time! They were bad or else they would not have it out for a cop.. they are bad people.. I am sorry for the family that lost their home.
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Joe Blackmon, Sr. | 11/23/2009 11:20:00 AMmark as inappropriate You ain't seen nothinbg yet. Wait until the parents find out they will have to pay for the house
