98.3 The Dove

Lite Rock Favorites from the 70's 80's and more.

  • About The Dove
  • Mornings with Joe Lose
  • Blog
  • Dove Gives Back
  • Local Events
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
    • Social Influencer
  • Employment
Trending Now
  • Win A Beach Vacation Giveaway!
  • Dove Gives Back: Casino Night for Capital City High School Marching Band
  • Best Of Columbia
You are here: Home / Archives for Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones

UPDATE: Two juveniles killed in Columbia apartment fire; investigation continues

December 14, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia fire chief Clayton Farr briefs reporters about the deadly blaze on Claudell during a December 14, 2022 press conference at Columbia city hall (photo courtesy of city of Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen)

Columbia officials say two juveniles have been killed in that overnight blaze at an apartment complex near Bernadette. Columbia fire chief Clayton Farr is not releasing the names nor ages of the victims at this time, out of respect to the families.

Chief Farr, Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Police chief Geoff Jones and city spokeswoman Toni Messina briefed reporters during an emotional Wednesday morning press conference at city hall. Chief Farr credits a quick response from CPD and Columbia firefighters in preventing more deaths.

“We’ve had two families that have suffered the unthinkable loss of two precious lives this morning. I want to thank our fire, our Columbia Police, our EMS partners, as well as our emergency communications partners for all that they did to make this as successful an outcome as was possible. While we did sustain the loss of two lives, we were able to save the lives of 20 other occupants who were in this building,” Chief Farr says.

The fire broke out at about 1:30 am at the Columbia Square apartments on Claudell lane, which is near Best Buy. Chief Farr says there were no working smoke detectors in the apartment, which had an upstairs and a downstairs. An emotional Mayor Buffaloe joined the chief at the press conference, saying their hearts go out to the impacted families. The mayor also encourages residents to donate to the American Red Cross, which is on the scene.

Columbia authorities say one adult and 11 juveniles were inside the apartment when the fire began. Two of the juveniles died, and Chief Farr tells 939 the Eagle that three others sustained injuries. A Columbia Police officer who ran into the burning complex also sustained smoke inhalation and has been treated and released from a hospital.

Filed Under: 93.9 The Eagle, American Red Cross, Claudell lane, Columbia EMS, Columbia Fire Chief Clayton Farr, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones, Columbia spokeswoman Toni Messina, Columbia's Best Buy, deadly Columbia apartment fire, Homepage, Mid-Missouri News, post to twitter, smoke inhalation, Syndicated

UPDATE: Missouri’s governor signs extradition paperwork involving Columbia cold case suspect

December 7, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Bond is set at $1-million for 59-year-old James Frederick Wilson (October 26, 2022 file photo courtesy of CPD spokesman Christian Tabak)

Extradition papers have been signed in a high-profile Columbia cold case that dates to 1984.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, tells 939 the Eagle that the governor has signed the papers involving 59-year-old James Wilson, a former Columbia resident. The Rock Bridge graduate is charged with the horrific 1984 kidnapping, rape and attempted murder of a woman who was abducted while walking to work. Court documents describe the victim as a complete stranger to Wilson.

North Carolina authorities and Columbia Police captured the suspect in late October in Mooresville, North Carolina. He remains jailed there.

James Wilson is charged in Boone County Circuit Court with forcible rape and first degree assault.

Graphic court documents obtained by 939 the Eagle say the 1984 victim was abducted near Wilkes and Providence and was driven to northeast Columbia’s Wellington drive, where she was raped twice. Court documents say Wilson then used his pocket knife to slash the victim’s throat, causing major damage to her trachea and vocal cords.

Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones has said that there could be additional victims. Anyone with information about James Frederick Wilson and this case can call (573) 874-7400.

Filed Under: 59-year-old James Wilson, 93.9 The Eagle, Columbia cold case from 1984, Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones, Columbia Rock Bridge high school, Columbia's Wilkes and Providence, Homepage, Mid-Missouri News, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, North Carolina authorities, post to twitter, Syndicated

Columbia’s FUSUS camera plan defeated on a 4-3 vote

November 22, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s city council has narrowly rejected a proposal to allow the FUSUS camera system.

Monday night’s vote was 4-3. Our news partner KMIZ reports the vote happened during a contentious meeting that lasted more than five hours. The three council members supporting FUSUS are Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Councilman Matt Pitzer and Councilwoman Betsy Peters. The no votes came from Council members Pat Fowler, Andrea Waner, Roy Lovelady and Nick Foster.

Police Chief Geoff Jones tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that FUSUS does not identify people based on race.

“FUSUS is a platform that allows us to take video feeds that are already out in the community and bring them onto one platform,” Jones says.

Chief Jones says FUSUS doesn’t use facial recognition, but critics worry it could target specific demographics. Other critics express skepticism about how successful it’s been in other communities. Chief Jones says he heard positive responses from businesses before the meeting, saying the vast majority of businesses he spoke to support FUSUS. He says he heard concerns from two or three businesses, before the meeting.

Reporter Leila Mitchell from our news partner KMIZ reports First Ward Councilwoman Fowler had numerous questions about the camera system for Chief Jones.

Filed Under: 93.9 The Eagle, ABC-17's Leila Mitchell, Columbia city councilman Matt Pitzer, Columbia City Councilman Nick Foster, Columbia City Councilman Roy Lovelady, Columbia City Councilwoman Andrea Waner, Columbia City Councilwoman Betsy Peters, Columbia city councilwoman Pat Fowler, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones, Columbia's FUSUS plan, facial recognition, Homepage, Mid-Missouri News, post to twitter, Syndicated

(AUDIO) Columbia Police chief Jones discusses FUSUS on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

November 21, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s city council is set to vote tonight on a camera platform called FUSUS. Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones strongly supports the plan. He describes FUSUS as a platform that allows CPD to take video that is already out in the community and bring them into one platform. FUSUS allow you to decide if and how you participate, regarding cameras. Critics worry the cameras will target minorities. Chief Jones addressed the issue in-detail during a live interview on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” He joined us in-studio:

Filed Under: 93.9 The Eagle, 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones, FUSUS, Homepage, Mid-Missouri News, post to twitter, Syndicated

UPDATE: Columbia cold case suspect graduated from Rock Bridge

October 28, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Bond has been set at $1-million for 59-year-old James Frederick Wilson (October 26, 2022 photo courtesy of CPD spokesman Christian Tabak)

Bond is set at $1-million for a former Columbia man charged with the horrific 1984 rape and attempted murder of a woman who was kidnapped on Wilkes Boulevard while walking to work.

59-year-old James Wilson was captured at his North Carolina home early Thursday morning by Columba Police and North Carolina authorities. Columbia Police announced the arrest in a Thursday afternoon press conference at city hall. Columbia Police Department (CPD) assistant chief Jeremiah Hunter tells 939 the Eagle that Wilson graduated from Rock Bridge high school, and that he lived in Columbia in 1984.

The Columbia Police Department’s probable cause statement indicates Wilson and the victim did not know each other. Court documents describe them as “complete strangers.”

CPD spokeswoman Toni Messina tells reporters that Columbia Police officers worked on the case for years and pursued every available lead. Messina says the case was assigned to CPD detective Renee Wilbarger in March 2020.

“Through advancements in DNA technology, the wide range of DNA databases and the help of partner agencies, Detective Wilbarger identified James Frederick Wilson, 59, as a potential suspect,” Messina says.

Wilson is charged with forcible rape and first degree assault. Columbia Police chief Geoff Jones believes there could be additional victims. CPD has established a tip line for this investigation. Anyone with information about James Frederick Wilson and this case can call (573) 874-7400.

“But we don’t know yet how expansive his reign of terror was. We do know that people who commit these types of crimes often don’t stop with one,” Chief Jones tells reporters.

Wilson was captured early Thursday morning at his North Carolina home by Columbia Police officers and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI).

Graphic court documents say the 1984 victim was abducted near Wilkes and Providence and was driven to northeast Columbia’s Wellington drive, where she was raped twice. Court documents say Wilson then used his pocket knife to slash the victim’s throat, causing major damage to her trachea and vocal cords. She suffered multiple lacerations and her injuries “required surgical repair,” according to court documents.

During Thursday’s press conference, 939 the Eagle News asked CPD assistant chief Jeremiah Hunter when Wilson lived in Columbia, and where he went to school.

“I can tell you he attended school here. After graduating high school, he had some odd jobs here as well. I believe he moved away from Columbia around 1985 (or) 1986,” Hunter says.

939 the Eagle followed-up with Mr. Hunter on Friday morning. He confirms the suspect attended Rock Bridge high school.

The victim provided detailed information to CPD detectives in 1984, describing the suspect as a white male 18 to 19 years old, weighing 190 to 200 pounds with sandy blond hair. Court documents say the victim told detectives the suspect drove a dark green two-door muscle style car. The court documents say Columbia Police stopped James Wilson in 1985, while he was driving a green 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The vehicle, which was registered to Wilson, was stopped by the CPD officer because it matched the suspect’s description in this case, according to CPD’s probable cause statement. The court documents do not indicate what happened after that, but Wilson was not arrested during the traffic stop.

Keep your radio tuned to 939 the Eagle for updated information on this case.

 

Filed Under: 1970 green Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1984 Columbia cold case, 59-year-old James Frederick Wilson, 93.9 The Eagle, Columbia Police assistant chief Jeremiah Hunter, Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones, Columbia Police Department's tip line, Columbia's Wellington drive, CPD detective Renee Wilbarger, CPD spokeswoman Toni Messina, Homepage, Mid-Missouri News, North Carolina, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, post to twitter, Rock Bridge high school, Syndicated

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 6
  • Next Page »
Listen Now

Subscribe

* indicates required
/ ( mm / dd )

Mid-Missouri News

Suspected Chinese balloon spotted in Columbia and central Missouri; Missouri’s governor frustrated

February 3, 2023

State employee pay raise is a top priority for Missouri’s governor

February 3, 2023

UPDATE: Hallsville animal rescue destroyed by fire sets Saturday clean-up day

February 3, 2023

More in Mid-Missouri News

Recent Posts

  • Could Jack Dawson Have Lived In “Titanic?” Argument Is Settled!
  • Suspected Chinese balloon spotted in Columbia and central Missouri; Missouri’s governor frustrated
  • State employee pay raise is a top priority for Missouri’s governor
  • State employee pay raise is a top priority for Missouri’s governor
  • UPDATE: Hallsville animal rescue destroyed by fire sets Saturday clean-up day
Your Lite Rock Favorites from the 70’s, 80’s and MORE!


Public File | Privacy Policy | Contest Rules | FCC Applications

Iris Media is an equal opportunity employer.