UPDATE: February 28, 2014:
The man who shot Ronald Westbrook will not be charged with a crime.
Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Buzz Franklin said he will not pursue charges against Joe Hendrix. On November 27, 2103, Hendrix shot Westbrook, who had wandered into the backyard of a home occupied by Hendrix.
Updated, February 19, 2014: Since the story below was posted in December, I’m reminded of it each day. We’ve all been touched in some way by Alzheimer’s Disease, and this tragedy struck a chord with so many people. They’ll tell me about their own experiences with a family member who wandered away from home. Some, like Mr. Westbrook, never returned.
“How is his family doing?” they’ll ask. “Is his wife okay?” “What about his loyal Rottweiler?” “What happened to the man who shot him?” “Have charges been filed?” Let me offer an update on a sad story that has changed so many lives.
Ron Westbrook’s family is relying on their faith to carry them through these tough times. The holidays were difficult, as you might expect. As the new year rolled in, his sons and their families have tried to restore normalcy to their lives. They’re working hard, and going to school, just as Ron would have wanted. His wife Deanne has received strong support from her church family at Oakwood Baptist Church in Chickamauga, and provides loving care for Ron’s dog.
District Attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin says he hopes to reach a decision soon on possible charges against Joe Hendrix, the man who fired the shots that killed Mr. Westbrook. Mr. Hendrix had believed him to be an intruder. To this day, people debate on whether Mr. Westbrook posed a legitimate threat, or if Mr. Hendrix should have waited on officers to arrive after calling 9-1-1.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson told reporters that he wished Mr. Hendrix “had stayed inside the house,” but a quick, fatal decision was made, and everyone involved has to live with the results.
No matter the outcome of the District Attorney’s investigation, not everyone will be pleased. Some members of the Westbrook family who have spoken to the media say they wish Mr. Hendrix had made a different choice that cold November night. Yet, they too struggle with what should happen next. Should a man who claims he was protecting his loved ones be held responsible for the outcome? Many are quick to defend him, saying, “What would you have done, had you been in his shoes?” Ron Westbrook’s family knows, that no amount of punishment or jail time will bring him back. Also, strong as he was physically, had he not ventured onto the wrong property, would he have ever returned home safely? How much farther could he have gone, with hours of darkness remaining in sub-freezing weather?
“God has a plan,” they say. “Things happen for a reason.” The family is hopeful that the District Attorney reaches a decision soon, to bring closure to a tragic story. Ron Westbrook, his life’s work, and the sad, abrupt end to that life are on the minds of all those affected by the events of November 27, 2013. Why did he have to die this way? His family hopes this tragedy has inspired us all to think about how we care for our ailing relatives, what we would do when we encounter a disoriented person on the street, and how we would react if we see a stranger in our yard. Ron Westbrook’s life had meaning and purpose, and yet his greatest contribution may be the lessons we are learning in the wake of his sad and sudden departure.
ORIGINAL STORY FROM DECEMBER 1, 2013:
A few years ago, a retired local judge passed away. I was preparing an obituary for WRCB, and I needed some words of tribute. I called a longtime former elected official who had been out of the public eye for a while. When he answered his home phone, I told him who I was, and he responded like an old friend. “David,” he said, “good to hear from you, how are you?” After exchanging pleasantries, I told him the man had died, and asked for any kind words he could share. “Hold on,” he said. “I’ll let you talk to my wife.” She got on the phone, and immediately started to apologize. “My husband has dementia,” she said. “I’m so sorry, but he can’t remember the man you’re talking about. He doesn’t recognize anybody but family now.”
Of course she didn’t have to apologize, and I told her so. My mother was fading “into the shadows” as well. During her last years, her circle of friends had gotten much smaller, and she recognized only a handful of people. Much like my friend who had answered the phone, she could fake it. If you introduced yourself to her, she would smile and engage in a brief conversation. As time went by, her mobility declined too, so there were no worries about wandering away. Sadly, that is not the case for many who are afflicted by dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Just before Thanksgiving, a 72-year-old man got lost in Chickamauga, Georgia. Ron Westbrook had led a good life. He was a band member at Rossville High School, class of 1959. He played the trumpet, which he would later do in the Oakwood Baptist Church Orchestra and other groups. “He played energetically, I loved to hear him play,” said Sheriff Steve Wilson, also a member of the church. In 1970, he graduated from UTC, and was an engineer for TVA for more than twenty years. He was a decorated Lt. Colonel in the United States Air Force, with service in Vietnam. He was a past president of the Chattanooga Valley Lions Club. He had managed the airport in Lafayette and was a flight instructor. He was the proud father of three sons, and had four grandchildren. Recent Facebook photos show him as the patriarch of a loving family. But during the past few years, the shadows deepened.
He had left home with his beloved Rottweiler and a flashlight late Tuesday night. The wind chill was 20 degrees. His only protection from the elements was a light jacket. His wife of 51 years was sound asleep, and had no idea he was leaving the house. In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, a Walker County Sheriff’s deputy saw him standing at a mailbox. Sensing something unusual, the deputy asked if everything was okay. Mr. Westbrook pointed to the house and said, “I live right here.” Indeed some years ago, he did live there, about two miles away from his current residence. The deputy said, “Well, hurry and get back inside, it’s cold,” and drove away.
Not long after, less than a mile away, tragedy struck. Just before 4:00 a.m., either from confusion or exhaustion, Mr. Westbrook tried to enter someone else’s home. He rang the doorbell, and knocked on the door. The occupants, said to be an engaged couple, were understandably concerned. The woman called 9-1-1. By this time, Mr. Westbrook, thought to be an intruder, had headed toward the back door. Sheriff Wilson said the male resident went outside armed with a .40-caliber handgun, and the shadowy figure in the back yard kept walking toward the house. The man said he repeatedly yelled, “What are you doing? Why are you here?” He said the stranger gave no audible response. The man then fired four times. Ron Westbrook was dead.
He had walked almost three miles in the frigid weather. “He used to run five to ten miles a day,” Sheriff Wilson said. “Physically he was in good shape, you would never know anything was wrong with him. But he had gotten to the point where he wouldn’t say much, he had trouble thinking of the right words to say. That may have been why he didn’t respond.” At the scene of the shooting, his dog stood guard over his master’s body. Animal control officers were called in to take the dog, so that officials could remove the body, and examine the scene. One day later, the dog was released to Ron’s widow. “He was Ron’s constant companion,” the Sheriff said, “and he was loyal to the end.”
The headlines, locally and nationally, said, “Alzheimer’s patient killed after being mistaken for intruder.” Those who rarely venture beyond the headlines, may have pictured a helpless, elderly man who aimlessly wandered into the wilderness. On social media, they ask, “Why didn’t the man stay in his house, and wait for the police to arrive?” Plus, “Why didn’t Mr. Westbrook’s family have a system in place to make sure he couldn’t leave his home?” And even, “Why wasn’t Mr. Westbrook in a health care facility that could have insured his safety?”
It’s easy for Facebook and talk show experts to pass judgment, using their keen gifts of hindsight. It’s not so easy to make every correct decision in real life, such as when to get help for an ailing loved one, or knowing what to do when protecting your family from a possible intruder.
There are many who are suffering as a result of this tragedy, in addition to the family and friends Ron Westbrook leaves behind. Sheriff Wilson said, “My deputy who saw Ron at that mailbox is beating himself up over this. But there was no missing person report, and Ron didn’t indicate anything was wrong.” The man who shot Mr. Westbrook is hurting too. “He has to live with this for the rest of his life. He made a quick decision, and no one can undo it. And you can hear on the 9-1-1 call, they were afraid.”
Someday, that could be me wandering away from home, or it could be you. Just as it could be my home seemingly in danger, or yours. How would we react, how would we respond? How will we know when it’s time to make other living arrangements? Rather than playing the blame game, this tragedy serves as a reminder that most of us will have tough decisions to make down the road.
Instead of shrugging off the headlines about a faceless, “elderly Alzheimer’s patient,” let’s remember Ron Westbrook for who he really was. The devastation of the disease should not overshadow the accomplishments of a gifted man who played the trumpet, got an education, served his country, established two successful careers, and loved his family. Even as darkness crept in, his was a life filled with light.
A follow-up column, featuring many readers’ comments and reactions, can be seen here
The Westbrook family has requested contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
For obituary information, click here
I appreciate your personification of Ron Westbrook. It makes his situation more complicated, and focuses attention on the diverse effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Your account expands beyond the story’s surface. I feel as if I had been standing on the sidewalk outside a fenced yard of a house, and your story opened the gate, and took me inside the front door, then upstairs to the second level.
Still, my initial reaction remains very much the same. I question the wisdom of American society’s nurturing fear. For decades, we’ve been warned of the dangers of the creeping stranger in the bushes, the troll under the bridge, the sneak thief in the night, but since 9/11/2001 we have brought the troll into the house and placed him behind the shower curtains and under our beds.
This shooting broke my heart, because it was the result of this mentality of national fear. There is a world thought that extends itself, affecting the minds of everyone. How can the placement of “resource officers” in every elementary school make schools safer? How does the removal of shoes at the airport make flying safer? How does shooting a man protect us?
I’m sure you can point to incidents where these precautions did work, but I suspect we would have already heard about them on the news.
I watch the officers at each of my three schools, and during the past five+ years wondered what must be on their computer screens, because that is what they look at all day, after they lock the doors. I would LOVE to alleviate their boredom by having them cut paper or mount children’s artwork, but their “job” is to keep the schools safe. No body cares more about the safety of our schools than I do, but I can’t imagine how having a uniformed, armed young man or woman behind a computer screen in the front office and locking all the doors does that. All it does, from my observation, is make normal life more inconvenient. I think of those times I left my keys in the building and was forced to walk around the block in the pouring rain to get to the office door.
What’s the answer to national fear? A little common sense? If we are so fearful for our personal safety that we need to bear arms for protection, can’t we use alternate technology? Is it necessary to use deadly force? Ever? When we finally become weary of filling the shower stall with holes and peeking slowly under the bed, will we demand something meaningful to alleviate the fear? Why can’t this man’s tragic death focus our attention on the real enemy? FEAR.
Great reporting David. I can relate to the family because I have a sister who has Alzheimer. I could happen to her she says she remembers me but her actions says other wise. Such a sad day for Mr. Westbrook and the family who’s house he was trying to enter. God bless them both.
David, thank you for telling Ron’s story. Ron flew me in his plane once and now with a fully restored mind and body Ron is flying with the angels.
Great job David! You are without a doubt one of the most compassionate and professional reporters I have ever known. You have always been sincere and caring in everything you write, speak and share. Thank you.
Dear David Carroll, I have listened to you for many years, but I did not realize that you wrote Obituaries! You did GREAT by, reflecting and focusing on, “Ron Westbrook” as a person, and for that, “Thank You!”
I hope and pray that everyone will reflect on the great life and accomplishments of Ron Westbrook, and not “label” him as only being another person with “Alzheimer’s.”
People may continue to ask, “Why wasn’t Ron Westbrook admitted into a healthcare facility, so he could be monitored more closely 24-7?”
Before I retired, I worked in Long-Term Care Facilities for thirty-eight years, many being Alzheimer’s patients. Patients also walked out of such facilities, unnoticed, so this recommendation is not 100% free of incidents.
I highly commend Mrs. Westbrook for loving and caring for her beloved husband of fifty-one years, in his own home setting!
My Mother also took care of my Daddy at home, he had the same disease, until he passed away Christmas Day 2003. They had been married sixty-two years.
Mrs. Westbrook is a wife, mother and grandmother, which she is to be admired! This lady needs the highest Medal of Honor for her type of service, because this type of love and dedication is rare!
As for the Walker County Sheriff’s Deputy that stopped and talked to Ron Westbrook, he needs to forgive himself and understand that someone with Alzheimer’s may appear
completely normal one minute, then change in a split second. The deputy just happened to arrive in one of those “normal moments.” Please forgive yourself, or you may not be able to completely focus on protecting others in the future.
Lastly, the man that shot Ron Westbrook, I can’t tell you what I would have done. I hope that I never have to find out but, if I did have an incident similar to this one….I would hope and pray that I would call 9-1-1 and wait on the Police to arrive. I can hear something outside at night, which could be something simple as a limb falling from a tree but, I refuse to go out into the night.
I only have two questions? (1) Did the shooter visually see the intruder? (2) If yes, why not shoot the intruder in the foot or leg one time, why four shots?
To the family & friends of Ron Westbrook….I am sincerely full of sorrow for your loss, even though I don’t know you personally but, I am certain you are confused & hurting. Please know that I will be praying for you, as I know many others are doing. May GOD bless, strengthen, and comfort you as only HE can, second by second, with each new day.
This is so sad. I feel so sorry for his family. My mother had a form of dementia and I know how hard it was for his family but they are to be commended for having him at home with them where I’m sure he wanted to be and there’s no way they should feel responsible for what happened. I can also see why the person that shot him may have been scared but if he felt that he had to go outside, did he have to shoot four times?
David, Thank you so very much for your beautiful Blog about Ron Westbrook aka Ronnie to us. He has been a family friend for over 50 years. He was a sweet, kind gentle giant and we all loved him and we love his family. We may never fully understand why this happened while we are here on this earth but I do know that Ronnie is now free of that awful disease that also took my Grandfather 3 years ago. I also know that they are making beautiful music in heaven for their Lord Jesus…..Wow, I can’t wait to join them! Again, thank you!
Thank you David for such a beautiful tribute to Mr. Westbrook. I cried when I saw the news report of his death, because it brought back memories of my father in law who suffered from this disease, and truly understood his inability to defend himself. My prayers are with Mr. Westbrook’s family and friends.
Beautiful, Mr. Carroll.
David, thank you for a beautiful written story of a dear man loved by his family and friends.
I also experienced my precious father’s life fading before our eyes and the fear that overwhelms you during this painful time.
My prayers for this family and everyone involved and that God will give them comfort in a way that only He can.
David, thank you for a wonderful tribute to a deserving person and family. Everyone should read your article as well as the response regarding our “irrational fears” and our increasing need to have guns “at the ready” all the time.
The insanity of some politicians insisting we encourage guns in churches, bars and schools is a sad comentary for our country.
David, you are one of my favorite people on local TV. Thanks for sharing this story about Mr. Westbrook. I too had a family member who suffered from this terrible thing. Your observations about the shooter are not something I can agree with though.
Yes, I can tell you without a doubt that a 72 year old Alzheimer’s patient wandering in my yard would not be shot. It is not some keen gift of hindsight that makes me say that either. In order for me to use deadly force against anyone, I would have to identify them as a threat to me or a family member. In the darkness that can not be done.
When the autopsy is completed and the distance that Mr. Westbrook was standing from Mr. Hendrix is known, we will know a little better about this case. This case will give gun control advocates a little more ammunition because Mr. Hendrix was clearly out of line in his actions and had he not played Wyatt Earp, Mr. Westbrook would have been taken to his home instead of a funeral home.
Regardless of whether charges are ever brought against Mr. Hendrix for this murder, a poor defenseless man needing help was shot to death. Mr. Hendrix will not only have to live with that, he will have to die with it as well.
David, thank you so much for this beautiful tribute to a man who was so much more than “an Alzheimer’s patient.” You have objectively pictured a very complicated situation resulting from an insidious disease. My heart goes out to Mr. Westbrooks’ family as well as to the others involved in this terrible tragedy.
This is so sad. Recently, our home was broken into and we’ve lived in fear ever since. Even with a new home security system, now we look at people walking down the street, even our neighbors as potential intruders. I could feel the fear in your story, from the family afraid someone was a threat to their lives. Unfortunately the fear is a true reality and we all have no choice but to remain on guard to protect ourselves. I’m so sorry for Mr. Westbrook and his family, God bless them all.
David , you did a wonderful job writing about Ron Westbrook accident. They go to Oakwood where i attend and I have known them for years. Wonderful people. He will be missed. thanks Jane
David, this is a beautifully written tribute to a man (and family) who needs compassion and mercy right now. What a lovely gift you’ve given this family – extending beyond where typical reporting on this story would end to share photos and stories to remind all of us that Ron Westbrook was much more than an Alzheimer’s patient.
I didn’t hear about the incident until I read this blog entry, so I don’t know how the local media originally reported it. But your report is thoughtful, respectful, and loving. Typical David Carroll style.
Love always wins.
Your words touch me in a personal and profound way. You did a great job on this emotional subject. My heart breaks for all involved and yes it’s easy to stand outside and say if only something had been done differently….. All I can say is that I pray with all my heart if this ever happened to someone I love and cherish it would be handled differently. I cannot judge the decisions made, I only have opinions that don’t help anyone. I pray the families find peace and comfort. I pray the world stops to think a little longer about the challenges and fear that families facing Alzheimer’s deal with. There is nothing simple about it. I thank you for helping us know Mr. Westbrook and his full and productive life better and for writing with grace and a loving heart.
Mr. Carroll the story was beautiful, I really feel for Mr.Hendrix. I cant say .. BUT I’m going to be honest here ! I would have done the same thing! If someone was trying to get into my house in the early morning hours,
Just let me ask and NOT trying to cause trouble BUT if your wife or husband had Alzheimer’s…would you not take precaution and put alarms on door and such ?
I can’t understand How can they bring charges against Mr. Hendrix,
People need to step back and look at the big picture here… before they judge, asking them self what would they have done.
My heart and prayers go out to Westbrook family, and I wish this had never Happened but it did and I think Mr. Hendrix has suffered enough.
This was in my facebook memories today. This wonderful man was my Godfather, Mr Chapman intruders dont ring the dang doorbell or bring thier dog with them. The sheriff department told them to stay in the house and they was about 5 minutes away. I hope this man sees his face every night when he TRYS to go to sleep