Man Who Shot Police K9 During Coweta Chase Sentenced to 135 Years

A man who fired at three Georgia State Patrol troopers and wounded a police K9 during a high-speed chase through Coweta County has been sentenced to 135 years in prison.

Ira Troy Williams, 53, of Conyers, entered his plea October 15, 2026, in Coweta County Superior Court. Judge C. Jephson Bendinger sentenced Williams to 135 years in prison, followed by 35 years of probation.

Williams pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted malice murder, three counts of aggravated assault on a public safety officer, aggravated harming of a public safety animal, aggravated cruelty to animals, three counts of fleeing or attempting to elude police, four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of cocaine.

According to Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney John Herbert Cranford Jr., Williams entered a non-negotiated plea, meaning prosecutors and defense attorneys had not reached an agreement on his sentence.

Williams entered an Alford plea to the three attempted murder charges. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while accepting a conviction because the defendant believes pleading guilty is in his best interest. Williams admitted guilt to the remaining 13 charges.

The incident began around 1:45 p.m. December 18, 2024, when Georgia State Patrol Trooper Christopher Butler attempted to stop a Chevrolet Cruze near mile marker 38 on southbound Interstate 85 in Coweta County.

According to the district attorney’s office, Williams initially pulled over and exited his vehicle as directed. He then returned to the car and fled.

During the pursuit, Williams drove at high speeds, weaving through traffic and braking abruptly in front of the pursuing trooper.

Butler performed three pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuvers, in which an officer uses a patrol vehicle to force a fleeing vehicle to turn and stop.

Following the third maneuver, Williams began firing at Butler’s patrol vehicle, according to prosecutors.

One of the first shots struck Amor, Butler’s police K9, who was riding in the backseat area. Audio equipment inside the patrol car recorded the dog’s cries after being shot.

Veterinary treatment later confirmed that Amor had suffered two gunshot wounds to his right legs.

Georgia State Patrol Sgt. David Whitehead and Cpl. Anthony Munoz joined the pursuit. Prosecutors said Williams fired multiple shots at all three troopers as he continued southbound on I-85. Several shots were captured on patrol vehicle dashboard cameras.

Williams eventually exited the interstate and continued south on U.S. Highway 29/Georgia Highway 14.

After nearly seven minutes of fleeing, Williams turned onto a dirt road south of downtown Grantville, stopping near railroad tracks.

He exited his vehicle and fired at least four additional shots toward the three troopers, according to the district attorney’s office. The gunfire was recorded on Butler’s dashboard camera.

Williams escaped that evening and remained at large.

Investigators searched the abandoned Chevrolet Cruze, which was registered to Williams’ daughter. Inside, they recovered two handguns, ammunition of multiple calibers, and more than nine grams of cocaine.

A manhunt continued for the next two days.

Around 7:15 p.m. December 20, two Georgia State Patrol troopers assisting in the search checked an alley off Moreland Street in Grantville, behind an antique store.

There, they discovered Williams asleep beneath a blanket inside an old pickup truck. An AR-style handgun was resting on his chest, according to prosecutors.

Subsequent forensic analysis connected the firearm to cartridge casings recovered from Williams’ vehicle and the location where he had fired at troopers near the railroad tracks.

Although Amor suffered two gunshot wounds, the dog survived and has returned to duty with the Georgia State Patrol, according to the district attorney’s office.

Cranford addressed the shooting and the sentence in his October 16 news release.

“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.

The district attorney also addressed the danger faced by the three troopers and other motorists during the pursuit.

“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,” Cranford said.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jack Winne and Assistant District Attorney Drew Hertel prosecuted the case.

Ellie White-Stevens is the Editor of The Citizen and the Creative Director at Dirt1x. She strategizes and implements better branding, digital marketing, and original ideas to bring her clients bigger profits and save them time.

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Another excellent informative article Mr. Sullivan. Thank you. I suggest, and maybe I will write our State Representative and request…

I can always count on my favorite snowflake to show up in any article remotely left-leaning. Don’t care about personal…

There is also a “No Kings” protest demonstration at the Old Fayette County Courthouse, today at 5:00 PM — 6:30…