HONORED IN CARROLLTON: Huge turnout for a hero
Slain officer remembered as a 'great man' Billy Jiles knocked Terry Langley off his feet the first time they met.
Langley was a linebacker for the Bowdon High Red Devils and looked across the line of scrimmage at "the smallest lineman I ever saw." But the Carrollton High Trojans' pulling guard came in quick and low and pulverized the taller Langley.
"I never saw him coming," Carroll County Sheriff Langley recalled Friday, as he eulogized his friend, Lieutenant Jiles, 42, who was shot to death by an arson suspect Tuesday.
Some 25 years later, in death, Jiles is still bowling over Langley. The sheriff said he probably shook hands with 2,000 mourners the previous night at Jiles' wake and was overwhelmed by the array of good deeds his friend performed but Langley never knew: helping a handicapped woman, volunteering at school, talking about the Lord to prisoners.
"He was a great man," Langley later said as he walked away from Jiles' gravesite at Shady Grove Baptist Church. "And I'm not saying that just because he got killed. It's just after something like this happens you learn so much about a person."
Close to 600 law enforcement personnel were among the 1,300 mourners who crowded into Midway Macedonia Baptist Church. Hundreds more watched the service through a television feed.
The service, which at times was more revival than funeral, lasted about one hour and 15 minutes. "Blessed are the peacemakers" read a banner.
"He died doing what he was called to do; now, he is a soldier in the Army of God," said Jiles' brother, Rick, a retired GBI agent. "If you're not saved, you need to do it before you leave this church." Billy Jiles' wife, Holly, and two children, Halaigh, 9, and Matthew, 4, watched as officers from across Georgia paraded single-file into the county's largest sanctuary and took their places in the pews.
The day was filled with talk of how swiftly life can be snatched away. "Billy Jiles tucked his 9-year-old in bed at 9 p.m.," said his brother. "Within an hour, Billy Jiles was in heaven."
Jiles was killed after pursuing Terry DeJuan Johnson, who was racing away from having set his wife's house on fire. Jiles, who was returning to his night shift supervisor's job, had gone home for dinner.
Jiles chased Johnson to Johnson's old Carrollton neighborhood, where he stopped and barged into the home of 85-year-old Robert Smith, his former next-door neighbor. Johnson shot Smith to death before running out of the house and shooting Jiles numerous times. Johnson was then shot to death by other officers.
Jiles, who was recovering from a broken arm and who worked an administrative job, was not wearing his bulletproof vest.
Earlier Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued in Paulding County for Johnson, who faced a five-year prison term for trying to run down a police officer in 2001. Family members said he suffered mental problems. Johnson left a rambling note and will in the mailbox of his wife's home before setting it on fire.
A month ago, Langley said, Jiles read a Bible passage at a jail prayer breakfast: "Put on the whole armor of the Lord so you can stand against the power of the devil." It also talked about the "breastplate of righteousness."
"That's something no bullet can penetrate," said Langley, speaking of Jiles' faith.
The funeral procession included well over 400 police cars and easily as many civilian cars.
Nathan Robinson, a crane operator, stood with his wife and two children outside a friend's house on the funeral route for more than an hour waiting for the procession. He had his hand over his heart. "They're learning about respect," Robinson said of his children.
Jiles was buried behind a grove of oak trees as Atlanta police Sgt. B.C. Williams played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. Williams lost a partner in 1991 and learned to play the bagpipes after watching a pipe crew from New York play at another officer's funeral in 1998.
Today, Robert Smith, who died seconds before Jiles, will be buried in a small graveside service in Carrollton. "There won't be but a dozen people there," Merle Webb, Smith's cousin, said earlier Friday. "His brother said he wanted a simple service because he was a simple man."
Smith's relatives are donating money to Jiles' family.
Langley intends to attend Smith's funeral, too. "There will be more officers there than family," he said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (GA) - Saturday, September 7, 2002
BIO provided by: Find A Grave contributor Janie Light
Slain officer remembered as a 'great man' Billy Jiles knocked Terry Langley off his feet the first time they met.
Langley was a linebacker for the Bowdon High Red Devils and looked across the line of scrimmage at "the smallest lineman I ever saw." But the Carrollton High Trojans' pulling guard came in quick and low and pulverized the taller Langley.
"I never saw him coming," Carroll County Sheriff Langley recalled Friday, as he eulogized his friend, Lieutenant Jiles, 42, who was shot to death by an arson suspect Tuesday.
Some 25 years later, in death, Jiles is still bowling over Langley. The sheriff said he probably shook hands with 2,000 mourners the previous night at Jiles' wake and was overwhelmed by the array of good deeds his friend performed but Langley never knew: helping a handicapped woman, volunteering at school, talking about the Lord to prisoners.
"He was a great man," Langley later said as he walked away from Jiles' gravesite at Shady Grove Baptist Church. "And I'm not saying that just because he got killed. It's just after something like this happens you learn so much about a person."
Close to 600 law enforcement personnel were among the 1,300 mourners who crowded into Midway Macedonia Baptist Church. Hundreds more watched the service through a television feed.
The service, which at times was more revival than funeral, lasted about one hour and 15 minutes. "Blessed are the peacemakers" read a banner.
"He died doing what he was called to do; now, he is a soldier in the Army of God," said Jiles' brother, Rick, a retired GBI agent. "If you're not saved, you need to do it before you leave this church." Billy Jiles' wife, Holly, and two children, Halaigh, 9, and Matthew, 4, watched as officers from across Georgia paraded single-file into the county's largest sanctuary and took their places in the pews.
The day was filled with talk of how swiftly life can be snatched away. "Billy Jiles tucked his 9-year-old in bed at 9 p.m.," said his brother. "Within an hour, Billy Jiles was in heaven."
Jiles was killed after pursuing Terry DeJuan Johnson, who was racing away from having set his wife's house on fire. Jiles, who was returning to his night shift supervisor's job, had gone home for dinner.
Jiles chased Johnson to Johnson's old Carrollton neighborhood, where he stopped and barged into the home of 85-year-old Robert Smith, his former next-door neighbor. Johnson shot Smith to death before running out of the house and shooting Jiles numerous times. Johnson was then shot to death by other officers.
Jiles, who was recovering from a broken arm and who worked an administrative job, was not wearing his bulletproof vest.
Earlier Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued in Paulding County for Johnson, who faced a five-year prison term for trying to run down a police officer in 2001. Family members said he suffered mental problems. Johnson left a rambling note and will in the mailbox of his wife's home before setting it on fire.
A month ago, Langley said, Jiles read a Bible passage at a jail prayer breakfast: "Put on the whole armor of the Lord so you can stand against the power of the devil." It also talked about the "breastplate of righteousness."
"That's something no bullet can penetrate," said Langley, speaking of Jiles' faith.
The funeral procession included well over 400 police cars and easily as many civilian cars.
Nathan Robinson, a crane operator, stood with his wife and two children outside a friend's house on the funeral route for more than an hour waiting for the procession. He had his hand over his heart. "They're learning about respect," Robinson said of his children.
Jiles was buried behind a grove of oak trees as Atlanta police Sgt. B.C. Williams played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. Williams lost a partner in 1991 and learned to play the bagpipes after watching a pipe crew from New York play at another officer's funeral in 1998.
Today, Robert Smith, who died seconds before Jiles, will be buried in a small graveside service in Carrollton. "There won't be but a dozen people there," Merle Webb, Smith's cousin, said earlier Friday. "His brother said he wanted a simple service because he was a simple man."
Smith's relatives are donating money to Jiles' family.
Langley intends to attend Smith's funeral, too. "There will be more officers there than family," he said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (GA) - Saturday, September 7, 2002
BIO provided by: Find A Grave contributor Janie Light
HONORED IN CARROLLTON: Huge turnout for a hero
Slain officer remembered as a 'great man' Billy Jiles knocked Terry Langley off his feet the first time they met.
Langley was a linebacker for the Bowdon High Red Devils and looked across the line of scrimmage at "the smallest lineman I ever saw." But the Carrollton High Trojans' pulling guard came in quick and low and pulverized the taller Langley.
"I never saw him coming," Carroll County Sheriff Langley recalled Friday, as he eulogized his friend, Lieutenant Jiles, 42, who was shot to death by an arson suspect Tuesday.
Some 25 years later, in death, Jiles is still bowling over Langley. The sheriff said he probably shook hands with 2,000 mourners the previous night at Jiles' wake and was overwhelmed by the array of good deeds his friend performed but Langley never knew: helping a handicapped woman, volunteering at school, talking about the Lord to prisoners.
"He was a great man," Langley later said as he walked away from Jiles' gravesite at Shady Grove Baptist Church. "And I'm not saying that just because he got killed. It's just after something like this happens you learn so much about a person."
Close to 600 law enforcement personnel were among the 1,300 mourners who crowded into Midway Macedonia Baptist Church. Hundreds more watched the service through a television feed.
The service, which at times was more revival than funeral, lasted about one hour and 15 minutes. "Blessed are the peacemakers" read a banner.
"He died doing what he was called to do; now, he is a soldier in the Army of God," said Jiles' brother, Rick, a retired GBI agent. "If you're not saved, you need to do it before you leave this church." Billy Jiles' wife, Holly, and two children, Halaigh, 9, and Matthew, 4, watched as officers from across Georgia paraded single-file into the county's largest sanctuary and took their places in the pews.
The day was filled with talk of how swiftly life can be snatched away. "Billy Jiles tucked his 9-year-old in bed at 9 p.m.," said his brother. "Within an hour, Billy Jiles was in heaven."
Jiles was killed after pursuing Terry DeJuan Johnson, who was racing away from having set his wife's house on fire. Jiles, who was returning to his night shift supervisor's job, had gone home for dinner.
Jiles chased Johnson to Johnson's old Carrollton neighborhood, where he stopped and barged into the home of 85-year-old Robert Smith, his former next-door neighbor. Johnson shot Smith to death before running out of the house and shooting Jiles numerous times. Johnson was then shot to death by other officers.
Jiles, who was recovering from a broken arm and who worked an administrative job, was not wearing his bulletproof vest.
Earlier Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued in Paulding County for Johnson, who faced a five-year prison term for trying to run down a police officer in 2001. Family members said he suffered mental problems. Johnson left a rambling note and will in the mailbox of his wife's home before setting it on fire.
A month ago, Langley said, Jiles read a Bible passage at a jail prayer breakfast: "Put on the whole armor of the Lord so you can stand against the power of the devil." It also talked about the "breastplate of righteousness."
"That's something no bullet can penetrate," said Langley, speaking of Jiles' faith.
The funeral procession included well over 400 police cars and easily as many civilian cars.
Nathan Robinson, a crane operator, stood with his wife and two children outside a friend's house on the funeral route for more than an hour waiting for the procession. He had his hand over his heart. "They're learning about respect," Robinson said of his children.
Jiles was buried behind a grove of oak trees as Atlanta police Sgt. B.C. Williams played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. Williams lost a partner in 1991 and learned to play the bagpipes after watching a pipe crew from New York play at another officer's funeral in 1998.
Today, Robert Smith, who died seconds before Jiles, will be buried in a small graveside service in Carrollton. "There won't be but a dozen people there," Merle Webb, Smith's cousin, said earlier Friday. "His brother said he wanted a simple service because he was a simple man."
Smith's relatives are donating money to Jiles' family.
Langley intends to attend Smith's funeral, too. "There will be more officers there than family," he said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (GA) - Saturday, September 7, 2002
BIO provided by: Find A Grave contributor Janie Light
Slain officer remembered as a 'great man' Billy Jiles knocked Terry Langley off his feet the first time they met.
Langley was a linebacker for the Bowdon High Red Devils and looked across the line of scrimmage at "the smallest lineman I ever saw." But the Carrollton High Trojans' pulling guard came in quick and low and pulverized the taller Langley.
"I never saw him coming," Carroll County Sheriff Langley recalled Friday, as he eulogized his friend, Lieutenant Jiles, 42, who was shot to death by an arson suspect Tuesday.
Some 25 years later, in death, Jiles is still bowling over Langley. The sheriff said he probably shook hands with 2,000 mourners the previous night at Jiles' wake and was overwhelmed by the array of good deeds his friend performed but Langley never knew: helping a handicapped woman, volunteering at school, talking about the Lord to prisoners.
"He was a great man," Langley later said as he walked away from Jiles' gravesite at Shady Grove Baptist Church. "And I'm not saying that just because he got killed. It's just after something like this happens you learn so much about a person."
Close to 600 law enforcement personnel were among the 1,300 mourners who crowded into Midway Macedonia Baptist Church. Hundreds more watched the service through a television feed.
The service, which at times was more revival than funeral, lasted about one hour and 15 minutes. "Blessed are the peacemakers" read a banner.
"He died doing what he was called to do; now, he is a soldier in the Army of God," said Jiles' brother, Rick, a retired GBI agent. "If you're not saved, you need to do it before you leave this church." Billy Jiles' wife, Holly, and two children, Halaigh, 9, and Matthew, 4, watched as officers from across Georgia paraded single-file into the county's largest sanctuary and took their places in the pews.
The day was filled with talk of how swiftly life can be snatched away. "Billy Jiles tucked his 9-year-old in bed at 9 p.m.," said his brother. "Within an hour, Billy Jiles was in heaven."
Jiles was killed after pursuing Terry DeJuan Johnson, who was racing away from having set his wife's house on fire. Jiles, who was returning to his night shift supervisor's job, had gone home for dinner.
Jiles chased Johnson to Johnson's old Carrollton neighborhood, where he stopped and barged into the home of 85-year-old Robert Smith, his former next-door neighbor. Johnson shot Smith to death before running out of the house and shooting Jiles numerous times. Johnson was then shot to death by other officers.
Jiles, who was recovering from a broken arm and who worked an administrative job, was not wearing his bulletproof vest.
Earlier Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued in Paulding County for Johnson, who faced a five-year prison term for trying to run down a police officer in 2001. Family members said he suffered mental problems. Johnson left a rambling note and will in the mailbox of his wife's home before setting it on fire.
A month ago, Langley said, Jiles read a Bible passage at a jail prayer breakfast: "Put on the whole armor of the Lord so you can stand against the power of the devil." It also talked about the "breastplate of righteousness."
"That's something no bullet can penetrate," said Langley, speaking of Jiles' faith.
The funeral procession included well over 400 police cars and easily as many civilian cars.
Nathan Robinson, a crane operator, stood with his wife and two children outside a friend's house on the funeral route for more than an hour waiting for the procession. He had his hand over his heart. "They're learning about respect," Robinson said of his children.
Jiles was buried behind a grove of oak trees as Atlanta police Sgt. B.C. Williams played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. Williams lost a partner in 1991 and learned to play the bagpipes after watching a pipe crew from New York play at another officer's funeral in 1998.
Today, Robert Smith, who died seconds before Jiles, will be buried in a small graveside service in Carrollton. "There won't be but a dozen people there," Merle Webb, Smith's cousin, said earlier Friday. "His brother said he wanted a simple service because he was a simple man."
Smith's relatives are donating money to Jiles' family.
Langley intends to attend Smith's funeral, too. "There will be more officers there than family," he said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (GA) - Saturday, September 7, 2002
BIO provided by: Find A Grave contributor Janie Light
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