COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — A Conyers man who fired at multiple Georgia State Patrol troopers and shot a patrol K9 during a high-speed chase on Interstate 85 has been sentenced to years behind bars.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Ira Troy Williams, 53, pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to multiple charges stemming from the December 2024 pursuit in Coweta County. He was also sentenced to 35 years of probation.
Prosecutors said Williams fired multiple shots at the troopers as he tried to escape, including during a confrontation near Grantville. One of the gunshots hit K9 Amor, who was riding in Trooper Christopher Butler’s patrol vehicle.
Veterinary treatment confirmed Amor suffered two gunshot wounds to his right legs. The dog recovered and continues to serve with the Georgia State Patrol, according to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
The incident began around 1:45 p.m. Dec. 18, 2024, when Butler tried to stop a Chevrolet Cruze traveling southbound on I-85.
Williams initially pulled over and got out of the car at the trooper’s direction, but then returned to the vehicle and drove away, prosecutors said.
Authorities said Williams sped away, weaving through traffic and abruptly braking as Butler pursued him. The trooper performed three precision immobilization technique, or PIT, maneuvers in an effort to stop the car.
After the third maneuver, Williams fired at Butler’s patrol vehicle, hitting Amor.
Georgia State Patrol Sgt. David Whitehead and Cpl. Anthony Munoz joined the chase. Prosecutors said Williams fired multiple shots at all three troopers as the chase continued along I-85 and onto U.S. 29/Georgia 14.
After nearly seven minutes, Williams turned onto a dirt road just south of downtown Grantville and stopped near railroad tracks. He got out of the car and fired at least four more shots at the troopers, according to prosecutors.
Williams escaped that night. A search of the Chevrolet Cruze turned up two handguns, ammunition of multiple calibers and more than nine grams of cocaine.
A two-day manhunt ended Dec. 20, 2024, when two state troopers searching an alley off Moreland Street in Grantville found Williams sleeping inside an old pickup truck.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man arrested after incident at Georgia National Fair
- ‘Tired of warehouse work:’ Naked man allegedly asks Georgia construction worker for a job
- Six Flags Goliath inspections reveal condition of ride before man’s death
Prosecutors said an AR-style handgun was resting on his chest. Ballistics testing later linked the weapon to cartridge cases recovered from Williams’ vehicle and the scene of the final shooting.
Williams pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal attempt to commit malice murder, three counts of aggravated assault on a public safety officer, charges involving the shooting and harming of a public safety animal, three counts of fleeing or attempting to elude police, four firearm-related counts and one count of cocaine possession.
He entered an Alford plea to the attempted murder charges, allowing him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to likely secure a conviction. He admitted guilt to the remaining charges.
A judge sentenced Williams to 135 years in prison followed by 35 years of probation.
District Attorney John Herbert Cranford Jr. said the sentence was appropriate given the danger Williams posed to the troopers and others on the road.
“By the grace of God, these troopers were not injured or killed by this Defendant. Their bravery in pursuit of homicidal maniac cannot be overstated. It is infuriating that K9 Amor suffered gunshot wounds, but our office is relieved that Amor is doing well and continues to serve the Georgia State Patrol,” Cranford said. “This is a harsh sentence, but such a sentence is appropriate for a defendant who would attempt to murder police officers and risk murdering every other person in range of his firearm.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
