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Name:
Ward, Willie, III
Date of Booking:
08/12/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault
Obstruction of Officers
Probation Violation
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 08/12/2026 at approximately 16:39 hrs, I Ofc. Cooley arrived on scene at [400 BLOCK] S. Pleasant Hill Rd. reference a report of a domestic involving a pistol.
Upon arrival I could see the victim a Mrs. [VICTIM #1] sitting in her vehicle. I motioned for her to come to me as I did not know where the other party was. While making her way to me behind the cover of a vehicle in the driveway Mr. Ward came from behind the home. At the time I could see he was holding a Steel Reserve can of alcoholic beverage.
Mr. Ward walked toward the front door then toward the road. Mr. Ward was repeating don’t touch me I’m suicidal over and over. I instructed him to stop and he did not. At that time I grabbed Mr. Ward by the forearm where he attempted to pull away from me. I the swept his right leg and escorted him to the ground which was grass away from the driveway. Once on the ground I gained control of Mr. Ward’s back and arms. He then began saying, “You better call for backup.” Ofc. Lane arrived on scene and we were able to place Mr. Ward in cuffs.
Once in custody Mr. Ward was assisted to his feet where he was taken to my patrol vehicle. Once there Mr. Ward struck the door of my patrol car. Ofc. Lane corrected this behavior with a verbal announcement. Ofc. Ullius and Ofc. Mcleod then arrived on scene. Ofc. Mcleod was instructed to stand by with Ofc. Lane while I gathered information.
I spoke with Mrs. [VICTIM #1] and asked what happened. She advised he came out screaming and yelling. He then grabbed her by the shirt saying he was going to kill her a*s. Mr. Ward was then said to have pulled the BB gun which Mrs. [VICTIM #1] believed to be an actual firearm. He pointed the firearm at her saying he was going to kill her. He then walked toward the rear of the home prior to our arrival on scene.
The van was called due to Mr. Ward’s actions. Once on scene the call was made to place him in leg irons and a belly strap. While attempting to place leg irons on Mr. Ward he became emotional. He then began trying to keep me from applying the irons stating he would kick. He crossed his legs and I grabbed his ankle to place his left leg in the restraint. Mr. Ward then kicked me in the face which caused my eyes to water and a blunt dull pain around the nose. He was pulled back by Ofc. Mcleod The restraint was added and he was removed from the patrol car. A belly strap was also applied and he was escorted to the van.
I then turned over the firearm collected to Ofc. Ullius to turn into evidence. Ofc. Mcleod followed BTO Martin to booking to assist with Mr. Ward. I will be seeking warrants against Mr. Ward next available for felony obstruction and Aggrivated Assault.
Photos taken on scene.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
8/18/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND AND DESIGNATION OF DISCOVERY
What this means: Willie Ward III, who was being held in the Houston County jail, had his attorney — Raymond A. Williams of the Houston County Public Defender’s Office — file two requests with the Houston County Superior Court on August 18, 2026. The first was a motion asking the court to set a bond so Ward could be released from jail while his case moves forward. The filing argues that Ward would not flee, poses no danger to the community, and would not attempt to intimidate witnesses. The second part of the filing is a designation of discovery, meaning Ward’s legal team elected to participate in the reciprocal exchange of evidence with the prosecution — both sides agree to share relevant information with each other as the case proceeds. This filing was accepted by the court the same day. Case number 2026C0065328.
8/20/26
BOND DENIED AT PLEAS/BONDS HEARING
What this means: A pleas and bonds hearing was held on August 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Houston County Superior Court. At that hearing, the court denied bond for Willie Ward III, meaning Ward will remain held in the Houston County jail as his case continues. Ward is facing charges that include aggravated assault, obstruction of officers, and a probation violation under case number 2026C0065328.