It is with greatest sympathy to report the loss of Jackson County Sheriff John McDaniel's wife, Mellie Edenfield McDaniel, and Jackson County Sheriff Deputy Mike Altman. Both were killed by two assailants who had targeted Sheriff McDaniel (Johnny Mac) and his wife. The latest news from Marianna this afternoon gave a few more details surrounding the event. In less than seven minutes, both Mellie and responding Deputy Altman were gunned down in front of the McDaniel home last evening, January 30, at approximately 5 p.m. CT. Mellie was returning from the grocery store and, while on the phone to her husband, she noticed a strange car entering the drive to their home. Johnny Mac dispatched deputies, as he was also on his way home. He heard Mellie scream. In less than two minutes Deputy Altman arrived and was ambushed by the two assailants. The men, Lionel Sands and Daniel Brown, were also killed when Johnny Mac and more deputies arrived on the scene within minutes. Sands was under investigation for the death of his wife in 2001. She was found dead floating in a pool in Grand Ridge. After a medical examination, it was noted that she suffered blunt force trauma to her head. Both Sands and Brown, the only witnesses to her death, stated she accidentally fell from a ladder and drowned. Sands filed a lawsuit against the insurance company for proceeds from her policy(ies?); however the judge dismissed the case. Brown served eight years in prison for a prior assault. Sands has no criminal record. Reports this afternoon on the local stations in Panama City, stated that both Sands and Brown were wearing disguises and had several items in their car, including: latex gloves, bleach, vinegar, handcuffs (both metal and disposable plastic type), garbage bags, two .38 caliber weapons, a .22 caliber weapon, and plenty of ammunition. They were driving a tan Crown Victoria with a Michigan license plate. According to the news report, Sands had no criminal record while Brown served eight years in prison for assault. Sands lived in Jackson County, Brown had stayed in Jackson County but had also lived in other states. You may learn more about this by visiting many local and national Internet sites, including: wjhg.com, wmbb.com, _http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/sheriffs-wife-among-four-dead-in/20070131001409990008?cid=2194_ (http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/sheriffs-wife-among-four-dead-in/20070131001409990008?cid= 2194) , the Tallahassee Democrat, and more. Johnny Mac was very helpful to me when I began the cemetery project a few years ago. Personally, my condolences go to both the McDaniel and Altman families, as well as the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. Please keep them in your prayers. Sincerely, Cindy Gay Sloan

This is on the Jack. Co. Genweb cemeteries site. CHATMAN Mary Ann b. 4 Mar 1804 d. 23 Aug 1856 d/o Benj Chatman w/o Geo W Fillingehast born in Fayetteville, NC Her name was Mary Ann Chapman. Daughter of Benjamin Chapman. Wife of George W. Tillinghast. I hope someone can make the correction to the web site. Don't know who is in charge of that. Cynthia