For the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, the Easter celebration was anything but normal.
Deputy Daniel Spivey was driving along Georgia Highway 365 around 1 p.m. Sunday when he noticed a white Ford F-250 was going more than 80 miles per hour past him in the right lane. The driver of the vehicle – Michael Lee Walker, 45 of Lula – was on his way to Bethesda Fellowship in Alto when Spivey attempted to pull him over on Duncan Bridge Road.
Once arriving at Bethesda Fellowship, Walker was identified by Spivey. Walker resisted Spivey’s instructions to drop onto the ground on his face. Stating that he did not have to listen to the deputy, Walker claimed he was a VIP of the church, according to the sheriff’s incident report.
When a sizable crowd gathered around the two men, Walker was now heading in their immediate direction. Spivey reacted, tasing Walker in the right lower-half of his body. Walker quickly removed the prongs of the taser and continued on his path.
Attempting to prevent harm to the crowd, Spivey ran up and used physical force against Walker, trying to get him on the ground for a second time. Through resisting, Walker made advances to his own vehicle before Spivey holstered his firearm and went hand-to-hand with Walker at the truck.
Knowing he would not be able to overcome Walker with brute strength, he engaged another time before Walker gained control over him. After gaining control over the situation again, Spivey made an attempt to shove Walker against the vehicle and drew his gun while waiting for backup to arrive.
Assisting Spivey, the gathered crowd was able to call 911. Before the arrival of backup, Walker attempted one last time to head in the direction of the church. Spivey was able to get him on the ground into handcuffs quickly.
Walker was turned over to another officer briefly while Spivey had a moment to catch his breath.
Upon searching the vehicle, Spivey found a black container with white residue and a small bag with residue.
As the Georgia Bureau of Investigations does not test residue, both items were confiscated and destroyed by the sheriff’s office.
Walker was arrested on charges of obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and DUI.
Walker was wanted on other charges including those previous charges as well as reckless driving, improper passing, wrong side of road, failure to signal lane change or turn and speeding in excess of maximum speeds (state speed and zone).