Fire at officer’s home being investigated as arson; Sheriff’s office seeking information from public

NATCHEZ — Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Natchez Police Department are seeking the public’s help while investigating a potential arson case at the residence of Vidalia Police Department’s patrol Captain, Craig Godbold on late Friday or early Saturday morning.

The house on Creek Bend Road went up in flames during the night around midnight.

The fire appears to have started under the carport of the home while Godbold’s family was inside the house. Everyone made it out safely.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said Godbold contacted him Saturday morning in reference to the fire and “requested that ACSO investigate it because there is video evidence that the fire wasn’t just a fire; that it was possibly arson.”

“We agreed to do the investigation but we will be conducting the investigation with the assistance of Natchez Police Department and every other person that lives in this neighborhood,” Patten said.  “After reviewing the video … it is pretty clear that this was arson and the matter will be investigated as such with additional charges possible once we are able to determine a suspect in this case.”

As to how the fire started, Natchez Fire Chief Robert Arrington said at this point, “There is no way to know for certain. We do know for certain that the fire started near the cars but I can’t speak to the cause.”

Arrington said the state fire marshal will be arriving Monday to begin its investigation of the fire. As far as what the fire, police and sheriff’s department investigations yield, he said. “We’re pooling all of our resources together.”

Patten said he is seeking public assistance from anyone who lives in the Creek Bend Road area and might have captured footage of the incident on their phone, doorbell or security cameras.

He also asked the greater Miss-Lou community who may have any information related to this incident, be it as small as a social media post or something suspicious that a person saw or heard related to this incident, to contact the sheriff’s office at 601-442-2752 or Crime Stoppers if they want to remain anonymous at 888-442-5001.

“There were four adults and two children in that house when this individual did what he did,” Patten said. “This is not the type we want roaming our streets and we need everyone to speak up if they know something.

“This particular neighborhood has been instrumental in helping us to solve crimes in the past and has always been willing to participate and provide information and we’re asking the same in reference to this heinous act. No amount of information is too big or too small. We want them to flood the sheriff’s office with information so that we can get this individual off the streets. More information will be provided as the case further develops but right now we’re seeking the public’s help regarding any and all information they may have. Thank you, all and we look forward to your assistance.”

Click here for the initial story about this incident.

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