On Patrol Live has taken an unexpected turn off-camera. Brookford, NC Police Chief Willie Armstrong, a recognizable face from the hit reality TV series, has been indicted by a Catawba County grand jury in connection to the alleged mishandling of evidence in the 1992 murder of 13-year-old Dee Dee Dawkins.
The indictment has stunned fans of the show and residents of Brookford alike, as Armstrong now faces serious legal trouble for actions tied to a case that has haunted the community for more than three decades.
Indictment and Allegations
According to court documents, Armstrong is charged with altering or destroying criminal evidence and willful failure to discharge his duties. The indictment alleges that he failed to properly preserve critical evidence in the murder investigation of Dawkins, whose body was found near the Henry Fork River in 1992.
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A key allegation centers on a 2024 interview conducted with William Crooks, a person of interest in the case. Armstrong reportedly left his cellphone recording during the interview—however, investigators later discovered that a portion of the recording was missing, prompting suspicions of evidence tampering.
Armstrong voluntarily turned himself in on May 7, and appeared in court in Newton, North Carolina. He was initially placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case but has since been re-instated, according to WCNC.
On Patrol Live Chief Armstrong Responds
In a statement released by his attorney, Armstrong strongly denied the allegations:
“Chief Armstrong has never altered, destroyed, or stolen any evidence. He has conducted himself with integrity throughout his career.”
Armstrong believes the charges are politically driven, noting that the case ramped up shortly after he declared his campaign for sheriff.
Despite the legal storm, he has vowed to continue his campaign and maintain his innocence.
A Reality TV Twist That’s All Too Real
This marks one of the most dramatic off-camera developments for a law enforcement official connected to On Patrol Live. The show, which gives viewers a front-row seat into police work, now finds one of its stars at the center of a real-life criminal case.
2 thoughts on ““On Patrol Live” Star and Brookford NC Police Chief Indicted in 1992 Cold Case”
Always got a be someone trying to get rich off of someone in the public eye, I doubt Chief Armstrong did anything shady for a case that’s 30 plus yrs old, leave the man alone and let him live.
Why would he reopen the case if he was involved?? makes no sense