Police officer charged
with punching woman
by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com
BLOUNTSTOWN – A Blountstown police officer is facing a charge of domestic battery after an evening of drinking allegedly ended with him punching a woman in the face, according to a report from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Benjamin Wi
llis and the woman were out with friends in Blountstown on Feb. 4. When they returned to his home later that night, they began arguing. The victim said Willis hit her in the face with a closed fist.
Deputies responded to a call about the incident the following morning. Deputies noted visible injuries to the woman’s left eye and cheek, along with a cut on her lips.
Willis told deputies that both he and the woman had been drinking and when they got home, she lay down on the floor. He said when he reached for her arm to help her stand up, she kicked him in the chest twice. According to the arrest report, “that caused him to strike the victim.”
No marks indicating he had been hurt were found on his chest.
He was given a conditional release after his arrest and ordered not to have contact with the victim.
Willis, who has worked with the police department since 2017, had recently been promoted to sergeant.
Blountstown Police Chief Mark Mallory said Willis is on administrative pending his agency’s internal investigation. While noting that the situation is “extremely unfortunate,” the chief said Willis had been a great officer and a valued member of their team.
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