GREENE COUNTY, Ga.,None — Channel 2 Action News reporter Richard Elliot learned new information Monday about the man who police said shot a chief deputy to death in Greene County over the weekend.
Investigators said a convicted criminal, Sherman Branch, 37, knocked on the door of Chief Deputy Kevin Roberts' home and killed him on Sunday morning before killing himself.
Greene County Deputy Killed
On Sunday, Greene County Sheriff Chris Houston said Branch was likely the target of an undercover drug investigation, but Roberts was not involved in the investigation.
On Monday, Houston confirmed Branch was involved in a drug operation in which nine people were taken into custody Sunday night. Houston said Branch was "one of the biggest drug dealers in Greene County." Houston also said Branch was facing potential federal drug charges.
Houston told Elliot that Branch was a suspect in the kidnapping and torture of a drug informant in the case.
Police said Branch had been an informant for the Greene County Sheriff's Office before. Houston speculated on Monday that Branch knew authorities were on to him and he went to Roberts' house to try to cut a deal. Roberts knew Branch and knew he was a former informant, Houston said.
Houston said Branch had tried to come and see him last week, but he was out of town.
Branch's wife spoke with Channel 2 Action News reporter Tony Thomas on Sunday about her husband.
Charlotte Branch cried and shook as Thomas spoke with her. She said she was at a loss as to what exactly happened with her husband of eight months.
"He got up, cooked breakfast and said he was going to feed the dog and he never came back," said Branch.
She said she had no idea that anything was wrong.
"My husband wasn't the suicidal type. I don't know what went on," said Branch.
"I heard two gunshots close together – pow, pow – just like that," said neighbor Annie Thornton.
Investigators went over the crime scene all day Sunday.
"Kevin was the perfect community police officer. He went to the door this morning anticipating helping somebody," said Houston.
Houston said he did not believe the murder-suicide was related to a recent Channel 2 Action News investigation. The GBI and a special investigator said agents are looking into allegation concerning the sheriff's use of forfeited drug money. Some county commissioners said they have been calling for the probe for two years.
Previous Stories: November 15, 2010: Sheriff: Deputy Shot, Killed After Answering Door November 14, 2010: Sheriff: Chief Deputy Killed In Murder-Suicide
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