Editor, The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an urgent plea to members of our community for any information regarding the murder of Ernie Walthour. I want to remind everyone that a $25,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this senseless crime. Our investigation indicates that someone out there has the information that could solve this crime. For the sake of Ernie’s family and in the interest of justice, I am appealing to anyone who could help.
My detective division, assisted by uniformed deputies, has devoted more than 2,000 man hours to this case, and more than 200 witnesses have been interviewed. Other agencies, including sheriffs’ offices and police departments from all around Southeast Georgia and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, have been consulted. Additionally, the GBI’s crime-scene experts and their crime lab have done extensive work and continue to analyze evidence in an effort to shed some light on this very complicated case. My deputies will not give up, nor will I be satisfied, until the people responsible for this crime have been brought to justice.
Along with Ernie’s family, I am appealing to the public for any information that would help. You can call me at 876-2131 or the detective’s office at 876-4555. An anonymous tip line has been established, and that number is 912-369-2020. All sources of information will be kept confidential. I would like for everyone to know that the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Liberty County, and solving this case would go a long way in helping to reach that goal.

— Steve C. Sikes
Liberty County Sheriff