Investigation into fatal wreck continues

The father of John William Belk III said his son always knew what he was going to be when he grew up.

“From the time he was old enough to shoot a gun and talk about what he wanted to do,” John William “Billy” Belk Jr. said. “All his life, he wanted to be a police officer.”

The Opelika police officer died Sunday afternoon when his Jeep and an SUV collided head-on on Sandhill Road.

The two occupants of the SUV fled on foot, Alabama State Troopers Lt. James Patterson said Monday.

Opelika police used dogs to track the two, and both men were apprehended Sunday. The driver, Jimmy Vickerstaff Jr., 31, of Auburn was charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. He was booked into the Lee County Detention Facility and was being held on bond Monday evening.

No charges have been filed against the passenger, Patterson said.

“It’s still under investigation… (It appears) the driver of Mr. Vickerstaff’s vehicle went out of control,” he said. “We’re still working on determining why.”

Patterson would not elaborate on whether alcohol was involved or why the two fled. No other charges were pending against either man, he said.

“We have no reason to believe there was any intent” in the accident, Patterson said.

Billy Belk sat on the front porch of his Salem house Monday, greeting a steady stream of mourners bringing food and words of comfort.

“I don’t know what I’d do without them,” Belk said. “I’m a people person.”

His son was, too. That’s part of what made him a great police officer, he said.

“He wanted to help,” Belk said. “He just thought he could do some good.”

Flags flew at half-staff in Opelika, and police officers wore black bands across their shields Monday. Belk was scheduled to report for duty hours after he was killed, Opelika Police Chief Tommy Mangham said.

“We were all devastated,” Mangham said. “…We met with his shift last night and started the healing process by letting them talk.”

Belk worked at the Opelika Police Department for 13 years, starting as a patrolman and working his way up to a K9 officer and corporal.

“He was an outstanding officer,” Mangham said. “I’ve never seen him in a bad mood … He was easy to talk to, and people enjoyed being around him.”

Belk said his family would miss John on the hunting and fishing trips he loved so much. He leaves behind two sons — Austin, 6, and J.W., 10 — and his wife, Janis, who he married in February.

Belk said he was pulled between anger and extreme sadness at the thought of having to bury his oldest child.

“I just never thought I would have to face anything like this,” Belk said. “I still can’t fathom the idea of having to bury one of my children. I’d do anything to bring him back, but that’s not possible. I guess I’ll have to rely on friends and family to help me get through it. It’s sad when you have a young life snuffed out with no apparent reason other than neglect.”

Former Auburn High School assistant football coach and current assistant principal Clay McCall said he is praying for both Belk’s family and that of the driver charged in the wreck.

McCall coached Vickerstaff, who was a standout football and basketball player at AHS from 1992 to 1996.

“Jimmy was a tremendous player,” McCall said. “He was always a kid that gave his all in everything he did. As a player, Jimmy was upbeat and positive. He always tried to find the positives in other people, and he tried to make players around him better. My prayers go out to the officer’s family and to Jimmy.”

Staff writer Joe McAdory contributed to this article.