Billey Joe Johnson, Top High School Football Recruit, Dies in Possible Traffic Stop Suicide

Wait for the facts to surface before pointing any fingers. As a police officer for 25 years, I can tell you that certain events, such as a death, is not always as clear cut as you may think. Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see and read.

Woman, please. Was likely into something shameful, the sort of thing that sours Sports Scholarship offers. Steroids, drugs, being underage and possessing the firearm to begin with... You know, that sort of thing.

Some of your comments are insane. I went to school with a dear friend, he was a great son, athlete as well a wonderful student. His future was destined to be one of the brightest ever. With all of that said, he was under a great deal of stress to keep all of this together. No one put him under this stress, he was just one of those overachievers and he became depressed due to the stress. One day all alone, he took his life. His family couldn't understand, as they never demanded any of this perfection of him. It was the torture that came from within. So unless you were this young man (Billey Joe Johnson) how would you ever know what was going on inside of his young heart and head? Suicide rate among our teenagers is at an all time high, and no I am not assuming that his death was a suicide, but nor am I accusing someone of murder either. If you were that officer and some sort of accident had happened, that you couldn't explain, how would you feel for the world to just assume that you were a racial killer? Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Billey Joe Johnson.

What an ignorant statement "Cindy". No matter how talented, beautiful, rich, etc someone is... You never know what is going on inside their head. People only show you what they want you to see, dont ever fool yourself into thinking you really know somebody. We all see life through our own eyes, and no matter how perfect you might think someone elses is, dont ever assume you know how they might feel on the inside.

Was this another Pac-man Jones, Michael Vick or countless others wanna be. What time in the morning? What about a dashboard camera? With all the Sept. 11th money that was spent, you know there had to be a camera.

This is very sad but comments like Cindy's are so stupid. No way I believe that a cop would murder a guy like that. You're living a dull life to have to come up with such silly conspiracies.

Cindy your an inbread fool!

He couldnt possibly be just another thug with a gun could he?
You need to do a ride along with a cop sometime.

Cindy,

For you to make such a ridiculous statement, that the cop shot the kid, is perpetuating a dangerous urban myth that cops and white men are out doing whatever they please, and damn the repercussions.

For one thing, a balistics check would confirm from which gun the fatal bullet came. And another thing, there is a camera in the cop car which would confirm the officer's statement.

For you to make such a STUPID blanket statement means you also believe that there was a conspiracy afoot to kill this kid. The cop, his chain of command, the District Attorney, the Policemen's Union, the Coroner.

Occam's Razor - "One should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything."

I assure you it is possible. Parents, coaches, teachers, team, all put an inhuman amount of pressure on them. Kids with super high grades, and star players in sports (including Olympic hopefuls) kill themselves more often than you think.

Barney Fife never killed anyone, missy. And don't you forget it.

Shame on you. While I have a deep mistrust for most cops in general, your labeling the cop in this case as "Barney Fife" and insinuating blame before the facts are in is really irresponsible. Is it out of the realm of possibility that the cop did what you're suggesting? Of course not. But not all small town law enforcement officers from the South are bumbling, racist fools who take out their aggressions on others. Let the facts come in before you make your accusations.

What a dumbass comment.

Cindy my dear why don't you put down your crack pipe and step into the real world. The police are our Nation's heros who put their lives on the line everyday to protect stupid people like you as well as the other wonderful people of this Country. They protect, not murder innocent people. Get a life!

Hello Cindy;

What happen in your life for you to prejudge the police offcer before all the facts come out. I'm not saying there isn't something suspicous here nevertheless your comments are discouraging and dishonors the youngman.

Is this Cindy Sheehan?

The dashcam, if running, would put an end to any doubt, now wouldn't it? What if the cop was black? They do have balck cops in the South nowadays. I hear that the next President of these here United States is black? WHAT??? You crazy, boy !!!!!

Hard to say but if that were true, wouldn't the officer had a better story like "He pulled the gun and pointed it at me"? I guess if the shotgun isn't owned by the victim but by the deputy, the story is clear. If not, we really don't know.

Sweetie - most ALL police cars have video cameras, most likely this poor boys death is on tape. Get real will you.