Dear editor, the Times,

On January 21, 2009, at 7:27 p.m., the Pine Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire on County Road 3 in Pine Hill. Upon arriving, the firemen found an elderly male resident who had just made it out. Firemen worked on the fire but the trailer was a total loss. Investigating officer Jim Mundie questioned the man and found out that a house guest had an argument with the elderly man and set the house on fire with him in it. After the fire was put out, the firemen returned to the station around 8:30 p.m. The house guest was nowhere to be found at that time.

At approximately 11:30 p.m., the PHVFD was called back to another house fire on County Road 3, beside where the other fire had occurred. It also was a total loss. I was called to the scene and advised to call for help from other agencies to help find the arsonist. Responding agencies were Marengo Co. Sheriff’s Dept., Thomasville Police Dept., Clark Co. Sheriff’s Dept. and the PHVFD. All the agencies searched for the suspect until around 3:30 a.m. with no success. The firemen returned to the station at 3:35 a.m.

On Jan. 22 at approximately 8:54 a.m., Officer Mundie found the suspect, who had come back to the scene and was arrested. Roger Dale Goodman, a 28-year-old white male of Pine Hill, was arrested for attempted murder, arson first degree and arson second degree. Mr. Goodman confessed to the crimes listed above, saying the man had made him mad by telling him to turn down his music. Mr. Goodman was placed in the Wilcox County Jail and under no bond.

State Deputy Fire Marshall Jeb Harrison and Officer Mundie are conducting the investigation and collecting the evidence for the prosecution of Mr. Goodman.

I would like to thank all the above mentioned agencies for the help and support. I appreciate their response.

John N. Brown

Pine Hill Chief of Police