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Vanceburg Police Chief Arrested, Maintains Innocence Save Email Print
Posted: 6:31 PM Mar 16, 2008
 Last Updated: 3:45 AM Mar 17, 2008
 Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com
288 comments
A | A | A

VANCEBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Vanceburg Police Chief Joe Billman was arrested for allegedly driving drunk early Sunday morning, but he says he did nothing illegal.

Kentucky State Police gave Billman a PBT (Preliminary Breath Test) outside the Super Quik in Vanceburg around 2 a.m. Sunday.

The trooper said it showed alcohol was in Billman's system. As a result, Billman was arrested.

In a telephone interview with WSAZ, Billman acknowledged he drank about 6 beers Saturday evening, but it was over the course of 6 or 7 hours.

He said he was not legally drunk, and he provided WSAZ a copy of his blood and urine drug screen from Meadowview Regional Medical Center.

The test showed his blood alcohol content at 0.038. That's well below the illegal limit of 0.08. It also showed he had no drugs at all in his system.

Billman said he tried to convince the trooper to do a field sobriety test, because he said it would have cleared him on the scene. However, he said the trooper would only perform a PBT.

Billman said he spoke with Vanceburg Mayor Angela Patton, and he expects to remain as the city's police chief.

He also expects the charges to be dropped in the coming days.

We will continue to update WSAZ.com as we get more information.
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Posted by: LC Citizen on Oct 20, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Let it go people....
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 7, 2008 at 11:41 AM
LOOKS LIKE OLE JOE IS STILL AT IT. HE IS THE POSTER BOY FOR BAD COPS.
Posted by: lol on Jun 30, 2008 at 05:10 PM
well he dont only sell alcholo to minors he sell dope to them to i know one guy got caught and told Joe he better help him out or he would tell on him Joe got caught raising dope at the old shoe factory and got out of it How can we keep our kids safe from people like this they suppose to protect our kids not kill them
Posted by: surprise on Jun 25, 2008 at 12:14 PM
no big surprise its good to know the right people. maybe thats why noones called in on him suppling alcholol to minors. didnt he teach dare
Posted by: Haha on Jun 24, 2008 at 01:02 PM
wow wat a surprise like we all didnt know Joe would get out of this haha he always get out of everything My uncle only had 1 beer and Joe got him for DUI and the doctor told him to drink a beer once in a while because of his kinneys and wat did it get him a DUI charge so why does Joe get out of everything My best friend lost a kid from a drunking driver the driver was a big shot like Joe and he got out of it so please get these people off the street and protect the rest of our kids the big shots should have to pay just like the rest of the people SAVE OUR KIDS
Posted by: lol on Jun 20, 2008 at 09:08 PM
way to go Giter Done we all know Joe would get out of this cause he got out of everything he done He need to quit getting everything hand to him on a silver platter This is a shame he dont pay for nothing He might realize this stuff if his kids ever get kill or hurt by a drunk driver pray for our kids
Posted by: Giter Done on Jun 13, 2008 at 12:31 AM
You betcha next time the cops have you drunk driving tell them you want taken to a hospital for a test that is nearly an hour away, im sure they will git right on that. Billman set up? Oh yeah you bet! Tell that to the cops too, tell them you were set up like Joe and I bet they get right on that. Fact of the matter is everyone in town knows Joe, knows he is a drunk and likes to hang out around town doing it. Case dismissed but not NOT GUILTY. He should have been a man like Steve Apelgate and took his lumps like a man instead of hiding behinf his tarnished badge. He's a great role model for kids, be a cop and hide behind the law.
Posted by: LC Citizen on Jun 11, 2008 at 10:34 AM
CASE DISMISSED!... per the front page of the Lewis County Herald this week. He maintained his innocence and has now been vindicated. This incident should have never taken place. The instigators should have done more homework before setting Billman up...
Posted by: FlyOnTheWall on Jun 8, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I would have loved to have been there when they took him to jail and emptied his pockets. Asked him all his personal info. I hope to GOD they remembered to charge him the $20 booking fee because he was released without posting a bond according to the Lewis County jail web site. Now talk is all over town he did get off. Is this true? I WANT TO KNOW - who was his lawyer? This lawyer will never be able to have anything to do with a case brought on by Billman because of "conflict of interest" having once represented him. Anybody?? Someday a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets of Vanceburg.
Posted by: Tom Paine on Jun 8, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Billman went to Maysville and took a second test after he was booked and released. And as everyone knows Maysville is less than five minutes away from Vanceburg by jet aircraft. The article doesn't mention if he used a fixed wing or helicopter to get there so let's assume he went by car at the speed limit and took the usual 45 minute ride. From his arrest to the time of release had to be at least an hour. I would guess he had time to grab a bite to eat on the way there. So it's pretty easy to go from .08 to .03 in two or more hours. V-burg police don't want to stop all drinking and drug activity, there are too many mouths to feed. Jail/courts are the town's biggest industry. How would all those cops, jailers, court clerks and judges,and the good folks who run the monopolized treatment center have a job without the drugs and dope? For you supporters of JB that don't think he's as crooked as a dog's hind leg, I have a bridge in Portsmouth I can sell you cheap. It's time to clean house.
Posted by: Well Looky there. on May 22, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Did you know that for a trooper to leave his post and come to a different city he has to be called? Well, I think that now everybody in Lewis County knows that the trooper was called by another officer that does not like Billman. For you all saying that he was pulled over, he was not. He was standing in the Super Quick parking lot while the trooper was setting behind the store and when he saw Billman get out of his truck, he came around and asked to talk to Billman. Know the real story, and you might get yourself somewhere. I don't know what goes on in your mind, but Billman has lost things that he can never get back because of this trooper's unusual actions. Talk about the State Tournament, not very many people are able to recive that gift, but since the arrest Billman had to give up his position. So, for all the people that laugh and think that it's funny that he was arrested. Thanks. That really shows who is the bigger man. Now, I can laugh at you all saying that he was wrong. hahaha
Posted by: lol on May 15, 2008 at 02:54 PM
alot of people try to do something but vanceburg is so mess up you cant kick some people out if you not in with that bunch you just might as well forget it.
Posted by: Vanceburg Man on May 13, 2008 at 01:06 PM
If everybody feels he done something wrong then do something. Instead of talking about it here go to your town meetings. Get a petiton started and get rid of him if everbody would stick together you could get something done. Its not the officials fault its ours for not doing anything about it. Nobody ever pushes this stuff we just get on here and talk about it and this gets us nowhere.
Posted by: okay on May 8, 2008 at 07:10 PM
well I see Joe still gets out of everything when is vanceburg going to clean thier town up and protect people children they ask them to keep thier kids safe but they still let thier cops on the road drinking and driving Please protect all our kids and do something about Joe and the other town people who dont go by the law and dont let the cops by with stuff either Please keep our kids alive
Posted by: lol on May 8, 2008 at 06:59 PM
well I see Joe still gets out of everything Whens Vanceburg going to clean thier town up people are asking them to protect thier children but they will never clean that town up. People get out there and help fight for our kids lives get the drunken cops off the roads and saves our kids lives Please
Posted by: vanceburg lady on May 5, 2008 at 10:27 PM
to Anonymous we can tell who's has kids and who dont no Joe did not kill anyone but he could have you should never drive after drinking thats how people get hurt or kill he could have kill hisself Joe has done alot of wroung things and never had to pay the price for none of it and I just want people to see it is really dangereous to drink and drive so once again I will ask Please do not drink and drive and help protect our kids I love my kids and I want them to live
Posted by: Anonymous on May 2, 2008 at 04:23 PM
I agree with okay? He did make a mistake and I think that he is not guilty either. So, Suck it up and get over it. Okay, see talking about how he could have killed somebody's child. See, that is the thing he did not! Okay, so start seeing outside the box!
Posted by: vanceburg lady on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:20 AM
way to go vanceburg mama yep we all know Joe get out of it he always does I know alot of stuff he got out of I just wish Vanceburg would do something about all the town workers and get the town clean up Our kids are growing up and I hate for my kids think thats the way everything should be We can tell our kids right from wroung but if the cops keep doing stuff like this they going to think thats the way it should be but my kids know drinking and driving kills and I sure dont want to see anymore kids kill from it so please Vanceburg straighten up before its one of your kids or other family memeber you lose Joe when are you going to straighten up you got kids to please start thinking about them
Posted by: Vanceburg mama on Apr 29, 2008 at 05:52 PM
OK we all know Joe has been in trouble before but we all also know that he will get out of it does anyone else remember the time Joe was drying out marajauana in the shoe factory come on he gets out of everything Joe has done worse then this so why should we expect anything different from him now. Lets just hope one day our town straightens up and realizes that everytone here is corrupt and its time that they do something about it sooner rather than later
Posted by: vanceburg lady on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:20 AM
well seem like everyone thinks poor old Joe Well Poor Old Joe done better than the rest of us at least he's getting pay to sit at home for drinking and getting pay for it and the rest of us has to work and get our money and pay for our family's funeral cause by a DUI I wish Joe would have thought before He done that I know he has kids dont he worry about them getting kill by a drunk and driver must dont cause he goes drinking with his kids well I hope he dont have to go through a death of a child cause by a drunk and driver I will never get over that kind of loss Please save our kids live and get people who drinks off our roads and if you got kids think about thier lives before you drink and drive May God Bless you all and watch over our kids
Posted by: NOlegallimit on Apr 26, 2008 at 09:06 AM
There is no such thing as a legal limit. At .080 you are presumed intoxicated. You can still be convicted of DUI after that. Most of you people hang out in bars etc. Three beers does not put you above the .080 limit. If an officer stops someone who is at an .070 ba then I guess they should let them go. Also KSP has their own lab for blood alcohol tests. They do not use a hospital for the results. Police officers do not need to hang out in bars anyway.
Posted by: Vanceburg Man on Apr 25, 2008 at 01:30 PM
My opinion is that there is a whole lot more problems going on in our town and our world. We need to quit thinking about everbody elses problems and start thinking about our own. Sure what happend was bad but let the courts decide whether its right or wrong. If people would put more effort in straightning there own lives up as they put into arguing about what Joe did and whether its right or wrong then our conty would be a better place to live. Belive me if I knew he was guilty I would be the first to say prosicute him. He is supposed to be a role model for our children. BUT everyone has there own personal life and what they do is their buisness not everbody elses. So before you judge people please ask yourself am I any better than that person to be putting them down when you yourself have probably done alot worse? You would probably be scared to death to lay your head down at night to sleep if you knew half the things that go on in our town, and this is what you want to bicker about?
Posted by: lol on Apr 24, 2008 at 06:10 PM
This is for citizen who left the comment should to me like you know all about the druggies well for lol is a church member and I dont like drinking and druggies because they end up killing my family in accidents cause by people like joe so I say protect our kids and keep them off the roads. May God will let you see the light and please pray for our kids the only people get mad about these comments is the people that do these stuff so please quit drinking and driving I want my kids to live.
Posted by: Citizen on Apr 23, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Just like we know all the "hang him" comments come from druggies, vandles or their offsprings.
Posted by: lol on Apr 23, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I just cant believe what I just heard Joe is on paid leave why should he get pay leave for drinking and driving would he still got pay if he had kill our love one instead of being charge get real mayor of vanceburg and protect our kids please save our kids lives and get these DUI off our streets will we all get pay to drink and drive.Have respects for our kids and save thier lives.Please I want my kids to live.
Posted by: lol on Apr 20, 2008 at 03:51 PM
I was reading these comments again and I was thinking about the one from okay we all know most of the comments is from his family just like the one okay wrote well okay if you had a family memeber get kill by a drunk and driver it would bother you too if Joe wasnt your family you would be upset to so please think about our lost loved one that got kill by a DUI He should had know better he need to pay for his wroung
Posted by: lol on Apr 14, 2008 at 07:03 PM
well we wont have to talk if there will be something done but everyone knows there wont be nothing done look at his mug shot you can tell he was on something I just want my kids to be safe and as long they let him by with this he will do it again please do something
Posted by: okay? on Apr 14, 2008 at 01:29 AM
Okay Billman made a mistake, but that does not mean that he is guilty. You all don't think outside of the box, one bit. I've heard many people talking about this subject at school. It upsets me because I know that he is not guilty. You all are foolish for setting on here and talking about him when it's been almost almost a month since this happend and you all are still on here talking about it. Very dissapointing.
Posted by: lol on Apr 13, 2008 at 11:06 AM
He's always cover things up and always got out of trouble. It proubly will end up throw out of court like it always is. Joe needs to pay for his mistake Be a man Joe and dont drink and drive no more I hate to see our kids kill by a drunk and driver. Joe if you are a man you will pay for your mistake,
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 10, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Things have finally calmed for Joe, but the main question is now. When is the court date? It wouldn't be so hard to believe him if he hadn't been included with test results in the pasted trying to cover for a ksp. This is what makes people view him as they do.
Posted by: lol on Apr 10, 2008 at 04:32 PM
wow you can look at his mug shots and tell he was either drunk or high I Know that wont do anything to him cause he's the chief
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 5, 2008 at 02:04 AM
his mug shots on the jails web site www.lewiscountydetention.com/
Posted by: OH BOY!! on Apr 1, 2008 at 01:29 AM
Come on BACK...to S.Shore KSP TROOPERS WE LOVE You ALL HERE!V-berg is a lost cause! maybe you can still save us!HURRY!The only thing that was'nt a drug called rock but really a rock has been stolen!The only ones that think they should keep it are the ones that tag their autos there and sell their dope to them! WE WILL BACK YOU 110% WE LOVE OUR LITTLE RIVER TOWN!
Posted by: lol on Mar 31, 2008 at 02:23 PM
I agree with Michelle and another thing if you going to let him keep beening the police chief give him a bike to ride so he may not kill or hurt someone plus they would save alot on gas I think they should put the cops back on there bikes instead of riding everywhere wasteing gas highest everything getting.but Joe will get out of everything like he always does.Please take care of our kids by these guys drinking and driving.
Posted by: LAWRENCE on Mar 30, 2008 at 04:58 PM
COME ON OVER TO IRONTON THEY CHARGE YOU WITH D. U. I. BUT NOW WHEN YOU GO TO COURT THEY THROW IT OUT? THIS IS ANOTHER RANDY WISE CASE F.U.N.N.Y.
Posted by: Michelle on Mar 30, 2008 at 05:24 AM
The point is not that he was drunk or not drunk the point is he was or had been drinking and driving.. and how many people have went to jail because of the smell of alcohol I know a couple and he is the cheif of police he should have Known better then to Drink and Drive it is against the law no matter what he blew he still had it in his system he is just as guilty as the ones that have went for just smelling like it. Maybe thats what vanceburg needs is some one in here to clean the town up its been like this for to long.....
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 29, 2008 at 01:49 PM
thats a real good argument over spelling great job !!! God knows you have never miss spelled nothing in your perfect life
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I was looking through old pictures and I found a newspaper cliping that my mother had cut out when Billman became the police chief. He stated "It is an honor for me to become the new chief, consitering that I'm following my father's footsteps." What do you think about that? You all talking about he should go to jail and rot. Well, to think that he said something like that because he had became the person that protects you and your family. That is pretty darn sad. :[
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 03:00 PM
To Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 08:00 AM That is crazy. No, Joe does not get on here and read this. He thinks that it is all bull. You spelling is horrible. "probley" haha. Try Probably. :]]
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 01:39 PM
i think that nobody fed the trooper information i think that instead of being at the vfw, or at coyotes i think he was just actually doing his job!!!!
Posted by: citizen on Mar 28, 2008 at 12:13 PM
I still say there's more to this story than meets the eye. I'm not a family member or an officer of law, but I do know that they usually don't go after each other. One officer, arresting another officer, who isn't even drunk seems strange to me. Will be interesting to see who fed the trooper the information.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 28, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Joe's family hasn't had to deal with the death of a family member caused by a drunk driver, it's true, but can you read? He WASN'T DRUNK!!!!!!! No one would be defending him if he was drunk. He was .03 and up to .08 is legal. And no, I'm not a family member. I'm not even a friend. I'm just a person that can read.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 08:00 AM
the good comments not from the family are probley from him. LOL
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM
To lol: Not all good comments dome from his family. I'm in it but, there is people on here that I don't know. can you explain that one?
Posted by: LOL on Mar 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
well what you know most of the good comments about Joe comes from his family. That family sure has never had to deal with a death cause by a drunk and driver. If they keep that up they made never know it made be one of thier family that had got kill by a drunk and driver even thro he only had a couple of beers and then they be wanting that person in the pen I dont care if its only a half of a beer you still shouldnt drink and drive.
Posted by: Jessie on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:48 PM
The legal limit is .8 and Joe was at .003. that is the bottom line. when a state Cop arrests a chief of police-makes you wonder what is going on and who is who in Lewis Co.to even get this done. No billman is no better than anyone else-but at the same time-if the law says 55 is speed limit and you go 45 and they arrest you-you have broken no law whether arrested or not. the law is the law. I dont know whqt he might have had to drink, but if he registers in the legal limits, which he did~then the only crime here is taking an innocent man to jail..especially one cop after another? What is the real story here?
Posted by: okay? on Mar 26, 2008 at 07:08 PM
to BillB on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:48 PM I sure will. I think that the people on here need to drop the fact that they think that he broke the law. I do know the full story having Joe as my father and knowing all that happend because hearing him tell family. Simply sounds like to me that it was a set up deal. What trooper if you are looking for drunk drivers goes behind a store and waits until someone is already out of their truck and then asks them to talk to them. Tell me what you think about that?
Posted by: HAHA on Mar 26, 2008 at 06:49 PM
way to go Linda
Posted by: karen on Mar 26, 2008 at 04:13 PM
If he is guilty of drunk driving then he should be punished, he is no better thean anyone else. It is a crime no matter who it is!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: donnie on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I guess you people think it's ok to get 'faced and drive around town late at night. i guess the parties at my house this weekend. well get drunk and drive our ATV's around like true redneck idiots. if the cops can drink and drive, then so can we.
Posted by: Linda on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:19 PM
What is it about DARE officers? The DARE officer one town over from me just got fired for illegal activity. I think the police just think they are above the law. Isnt this the same county where the sherriff said the Flannery family were "parasites on society" or something like that? Well does he feel the same way about this drunk? hmmmmmmm?
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 01:20 PM
again for you people on here asking what law did he brake , he chose to drink and drive ,or maybe in the little corrupt town of vanceburg that is only crime if you aren"t of higher authority!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM
A Person said As an officer I would never do to Chief Billman what the State Trooper did to him thats because if you did it to Billman he would fire you. Thats the same reason no one will put there real names in the blank where it ask because everytime we went to vanceburg we ould be pulled over and leaving with a big fat ticket just for telling the truth.
Posted by: officer on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:15 AM
No officer that I know of would go after another officer the way this guy did. I honestly have to consider his motives. I wonder how his fellow officers feel about him now. I'd also be curious who informed him about Chief Billman. Apparently he trusted the wrong people. (Chief Billman's test results don't lie.) The trooper who put his reputation on the line because of bogus information probably regrets it now. I also think the person or persons who provided the information are probably worried too, because it will all come out in due time. Then and only then, will they feel the ramifications of what they've set in motion.
Posted by: officer on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:03 AM
As an officer I would never do to Chief Billman what the State Trooper did to him. He broke no law. I wouldn't even do it to a regular citizen.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:59 AM
No wonder people think we are so stupid in Lewis County. How many times do you have to be told that it's not illegal to have a drink, or even several drinks and drive. It's only illegal if you are over the legal limit. Chief Billman wasn't even close. Also to the person who thought he REFUSED the breathalyzer...WRONG.....it was the trooper who looked at the LOW reading on his PBT that opted to take him to the hospital for blood & urine tests. Also Chief Billman knows that refusal would cost him his license...how smart would that be? You people are so stupid.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:18 AM
I believe ALL law enforcement officers should be held to the highest standards they enforce. The legal limit for blood alcohol for persons with a Commercial Driver's License is .02.
Posted by: the bottom line on Mar 26, 2008 at 05:29 AM
theres 230 comments on something that should of had about 10 or so. Joe was drinking and he is(or was when i went to school)a D.A.R.E. teacher i feel that as a teacher he needed to set a example and failed. Now for if he was legally drunk or not there will always be the people who will say he was drunk because of his power job and he was arrested. There has been rumors for years of favoritism to off duty officals. I for one dont know what happen and very few people do and there stories seem to refect there personal feeling toward Joe. Now with that said i believe that having theys charges dropped before having a court date will only add fuel to the fire. I would like to see Joe go to court and prove to us in Lewis County just like everyone else has to his innocents. He needs to tell and the KSP trooper needs to tell there sides. Joe has always been a people person who mingled with the crowd and tryed to show he was no more"above the law"then others now he needs to prove it like everyone
Posted by: UNKOWN? on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Thanks for the DARE lesson!! Boys and girls always remember when drinking a six pack and driving, always refuse a breath test so you can be transported to a facility where just maybe, they will take there time to get your blood. Hopfully by then you can prove the officer wrong YOU WASN'T DRUNK THAT IS JUST THE WAY WE ROLL IN VBURG!! WHAT WAS HE THINKING FOR PULLING OVER SUCH AN INNOCINT PERSON? Vanceburg is where its at a well known hick town for cheap women and home of the largest AA meeting around. If we are not known for our hollywood lights and large population. Maybe just maybe great rumors like buzzed crooked cops and a town well known for incest families will put us on the map. Although if I were Joe and Steve I would have to get drunk to pass the day by in this screwed up town anyway.. No one is to blame except ourselves for voting these kinds of people. We should be known as the city of SEX, DRUGS, and ROCK n ROLL!! We should put that on those Entering Vanceburg signs.
Posted by: Rumar on Mar 25, 2008 at 10:46 PM
to: citizens on Mar 24, 2008 at 09:43 AM Thanks. There are many people that will say that Dad should not have put me in this position. I am sure that he did not think about it. He knew what he had drank and that was that. To the rest: some say that Joe should step down? Why is that? He might have broke a law in YOUR MIND. But, Legally what law did he break?
Posted by: Judy B on Mar 25, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Well in my opinion I think that we should consider Joe Paul or Tom Flannigan as the new chief of police.. Lazy indeed most police officers are in Vanceburg...but what role exactly does Joe Billman play? I never see him out only on weekends in Ohio. I did even know he was chief of police still! As a idividual he is an awsome person but I feel that maybe he should take a step back and relize he needs to change or step down from office. Drunk Driving is a serious crime. He should use a taxi or Gary's Lemo Service free peep show in the back!!! HaHa!! I think that all the officials of Vanceburg have their dirty little secrets. Some just need to be more careful because this is going to cause some rude awakings for most of them..
Posted by: Jolisa on Mar 25, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Just because Joe Billman is a police officer does not mean that he thinks he is above the law. So everyone saying that please hush your mouths. He is a human just like the rest of us and he can live his life the way he wishes. But, there is one problem everyone is in his buisness. He did not break the law and if he had he would step up and say he did. Please learn the laws before you get on here and voice your opions. To Former Vanceburg Resident on mar 25, 2008 at 12:38 I am not a drinker, I just know the law. So don't assume everyone leaving comments drink. He did nothing wrong so he should not have to ask for forgiveness.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 25, 2008 at 06:44 PM
are you the chief of police like andy taylor or are you like otis cambell the town drunk of vanceburg? don"t get mad just curious?????
Posted by: we'll see on Mar 25, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Well everyone we'll see if Joe will get out of this one I bet he does I know they say he wasnt drunk but thats not the thing He was drinking and driving he could have easy made a mistake and kill our kids or even his own. Please Joe admit it was wroung dont you care about people kids if you dont at least care about your own I sure dont want to go to another funeral cause by a drunk and driver I love my kids
Posted by: BillB on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:48 PM
To Okay? 3/24at 10:15 pm: If you can get someone to tell you what law Joe broke please tell me. No one else will. They just want say he did. Any of you please tell me what law he broke. And don't start you should drink and drive which I agree with but it is not illegal unless you are drunk.If you don't like the law try to get it changed.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 25, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I am so sick of hearing how corrupt my town and county are. Our Circuit & District Judges are not from Lewis Co., so do you actually mean that their counties are corrupt. I have worked as a public servant for many years & have enjoyed doing so. However, one aspect that I find hurtful is the fact that as a public servant people feel that they can say anything to you or about you.
Posted by: Former Vanceburg Resident on Mar 25, 2008 at 12:38 PM
You can tell the drinkers in this mix. They all say "he wasn't drunk" or "he didn't do anything wrong". Drinking and driving is wrong. Was he legally drunk, probably not. However, there is a much larger picture here. What does this say about the D.A.R.E. program? What public message is being sent to our young citizens? Would Mr. Billman himself or, under his instruction, his officers, NOT ticket or arrest someone driving under the influence of crack or heroin; because they had only used a LITTLE and were not legally stoned? I personally think Mr. Billman believes he is above the law, not just this time, but with many other dubious instances in his colorful past. He knows what I am making reference to. I think it would behoove Mr. Billman to take some lessons from Steve Applegate. Admit what he did was not proper, ask for forgiveness from his fellow Vanceburgians, try to set a good example in the future, and move on. Finally, I must admit, I admire the KSP officer for having the audacity to stop the Vanceburg, Police Chief. In our little community, too many times, offenders are let go to offend again due to the “good old boy syndrome”. Kudos KSP.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM
how did he brake the law? he chose to drink and drive plain and simple it doesn"t matter how little he drunk,he is the law he should know better maybe it is people like you on here defending him that makes him think that he is above the law!
Posted by: Officer Billman's student on Mar 25, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I was a student of officer billman's. He was a good teacher and all the students liked him. We were allowed to ask him questions about himself and he was totally honest with us. I left class knowing that drugs,alcohol, and smoking were bad for me and I always felt like he was my friend.
Posted by: D.A.R.E. student on Mar 25, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Chief Billman taught me in DARE. He was very honest with us when we asked him questions like do you drink or do you smoke. He always told us that we shouldn't do that and the reasons why. He was a good teacher and always told us to mind our parents and that if we ever felt like we needed anything even if it was just to talk to someone that he was always available to us.
Posted by: A friend of Joe's on Mar 25, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I bet the person or persons that initiated this incident are now shaking in their shoes. When it all comes out, and I believe it will.....we'll see if justice is served. Heads are going to roll.
Posted by: Jolisa on Mar 25, 2008 at 10:19 AM
It has been over a week since this happened to Joe Billman. Could you leave it alone. Everyone keeps saying the same stuff. It does not matter what you guys think. The law is the law, so go on with your lives and leave him alone.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 25, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I'm addressing this to the person who made the comment about Chief Billman's father. Both Freida & Earl Billman would be and should be proud of thier son and the way he's handled himself during this incident. I think they would be extremely hurt to hear the comments made by citizens from a community that they both served and loved.
Posted by: Are you people stupid? on Mar 25, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Are you people really that stupid? According to THE LAW, YOUR LAWS, THE LAW OF THE LAND........ .08 is the legal limit! This is the standard that you are considered intoxicated. Anyone else out there who blew an .03 would be sent on their way home. It is not illegal to drink, say have a glass of wine with your dinner, and then drive home. It's only illegal if you're over the legal limit, which Mr. Billman wasn't. Doesn't anyone find it odd that this trooper is making up the law as he goes? Remember also this is the same guy who told Chief Billman that his own test was illegal. After calling his superior the trooper was informed that as long as anyone agrees to submit to the STATE test that they are also allowed their OWN test. Sounds like this State Trooper needs to learn the law he supposedly upholds.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:20 PM
I have lived in Vanceburg all my life and it is about time that someone finally steps up to take action against the city officials in our town.Police chief billman is our childrens D.A.R.E. leader do you you this kind of man teaching your cild how to stay off of drugs or alchol. Things have been looked over before when it has came to Mr. Billman hasn't it? I think the trooper made a good call.
Posted by: okay? on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:15 PM
To all that say that Joseph Billman broke the law. Can someone tell me what exact law Billman broke? Exactly. That is what I thought.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 09:53 PM
We all have made mistakes in our lifes. There is no one that is perfect, but we must strive to be. How do we know that Joe hasn't asked for forgiveness. There is only one real judge and we will all stand before him one day. He knows all about us and every thing that we do, whether it be good or bad. Nothing will we ever be able to hide from him. He hears, sees and knows everything about us. He'll forgive us if we only ask him and put our trust and faith in him. If you don't know this one Im talking about today, It is JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD who can do all things, and there is nothing impossible with him.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 24, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Drinking and driving, do not go together, no matter how many, that is what we try to teach our children, what message is this giving our children, people saying if he drove and was under the limit it is ok, i just dont get it, if you drink get someone to drive you, i think that KSP needs to look into the Sheriff Department, not just the Vanceburg Police.
Posted by: Concerned Resident on Mar 24, 2008 at 02:14 PM
I can't believe so many people think theres nothing wrong with what happened. Its about time we stand up and try to clean our little town up. Is this the kind of place you want to bring your children and grand children up in? Just about all you hear anymore is drinking, driving, and drugs. What a sad thing for then to hear and see. No matter who we are what our name is if we do wrong we should have to pay the price not let one person get by with it, and another can do the same thing and have to pay for the wrong they have done.Like one comment I read earlier. We can't do wrong and get by with it. Yes, maybe down here, but one day we won't. There won't be no respect of persons with the Lord. Its time to speak up for all those that belive this was wrong send in a comment and let then know how you feel. If your child got killed by someone drinking and driving would you want then be put right back on the road again? I don't think so. Keep up the good work KSP. Great Job!!!
Posted by: discouraged on Mar 24, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I for one am very disillusioned & disappointed at the response of some of the people of Lewis County toward Chief Billman. This is one of your own.... held up for everyone to take a swipe at. If the man was guilty I could understand Lewis Co. & Vanceburg being ashamed & embarrassed, but I cannot understand the mindset of a people who want to foster the already preconceived notion that you are a crooked county with crooked officials.
Posted by: Friend of Joe's on Mar 24, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Chief Joe Billman is not "above the law", nor is he BENEATH IT.
Posted by: fed up on Mar 24, 2008 at 12:14 PM
To the person who is upset about one of the Electric Plant Board Members being at the Middle School, don't know what this has to do with Chief Billman, but here goes...... These board members do NOT receive a salary, or any type of pay for their services. They meet one time a month, but hold down regular jobs. This is how totally uninformed people are, but they're always the most vocal. Get your facts straight before you open your mouth.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 11:39 AM
To Officers Wife. You are correct, nowhere will you find results of a BA. This is because the trooper after having Chief Billman blow into his PBT and getting the very low reading of .03 did not feel the necessity of a BA, but opted rather to take him for blood & urine testing. If you are truly an officer's wife then you understand how very UNUSUAL this trooper's procedures/actions were. No way would your husband charge and arrest another officer who blew a .03 when the legal limit is .08. If you think he would, you better ask again. Only another officer can fully understand how truly devastating this action is to a fellow officers career.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 11:28 AM
In response to Who's the Boss: The answer to that question is the LAW, and it will be followed by the elected officials in Vanceburg. Rest assured that their actions will not be fueled by comments like yours, and I'll go a step further by stating that I hope the Mayor & Council seriously consider legal action of their own towards the source that set this whole incident in motion. Whether you like it or you don't, Chief Billman, according to law, was NOT INTOXICATED, and in my mind, that makes this a defamation of character case on one of the City's employees and our City itself.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:22 AM
This incident has been far-reaching. It didn't just affect the Chief. I'm sure the Mayor, Council and the Citizens of Vanceburg have had to listen to comments about their Chief and their community. I think we need to look at the trooper who decided to do this to our community. I'm absolutely against drunk driving, but for the trooper who would arrest someone as high profile as a Chief of Police who wasn't even half of what is considered the legal limit, I think YOU should be held accountable for putting not only the Chief, but a whole community through this.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:13 AM
The people who are applauding the system that charged Chief Billman with DUI, will be the same people who say it's corrupt when he's found "not guilty." Seems you want it both ways. He's high profile and people will always enjoy tearing these people down. Hold your head up Joe. You did nothing wrong!
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:09 AM
As a resident of Lewis Co. I have heard the accusations, innuendos, and gossip about Joe Billman for a long, long, time. I have never understood what the fascination with him is, other than the fact that he's a police officer that acts like a regular citizen. He gets out and mingles with the citizens of this community and for that he gets slammed. You might not think it's "right" to go to a bar, and you're entitled to your opinion, but you're opinion is not the "law." The fact remains that he was no where near the legal limit of being intoxicated and should've been treated like every other citizen in this country. I feel that most of the negative comments are coming from a certain element, and as long as it was a law enforcement official, they'd think he was guilty, and funny.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Wow....it's amazing how much "pull" you think Chief Billman has! Do you really think that the same state trooper that pulled Chief Billman over is going to allow Chief Billman's buddies to drive him slowly to the hospital? What purpose would that serve except to make the trooper look bad. Also, I guess since you don't believe the test results that were ran on Chief Billman at the same hospital, at the same time as the troopers, then you must also believe he has the nurse, lab, and entire staff in his hip pocket. Get Real.
Posted by: citizens on Mar 24, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I know Chief Billman and his family. I see his 13 yr. old daughter on a daily basis at school. She's a beautiful, intelligent, mannerly little girl, who I am sure is very hurt by all of this. I hope she realizes that her father did nothing wrong. There will be those who argue that he shouldn't have put her in this position, but when a man has the amount of alcohol in his system that is almost equivalent to rinsing with mouthwash and charged with DUI, it's ridiculous. In my opinion it sounds like that though he had a drink that he was being responsible. However, I wonder about the motives of a trooper that would put innocent people through this unnecessarily. To all of Joe's kids.....Hold your heads up.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 24, 2008 at 09:35 AM
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!! According to the law, Chief Billman did NOTHING wrong. No police oficer, no matter who it is, will win in this type of situation. The court of public opinion will not allow it. No wonder they feel like they have to watch each other's backs. If it was anyone else other than a police officer everyone would think it was horrible.
Posted by: kjrb on Mar 23, 2008 at 06:37 PM
I think that it is funny that you all have nothing better to do than sit around on this website and talk about a father, son, uncle, brother, cousin. You all never think about the good that Mr. Billman does. People talk on here as he is such a horrible person and you obiously don't know the real man. You see him and you know his name, but you don't KNOW him. I am sure that he would love to know who some of you are. Most people on here would not have enough guts to say some of the stuff that you are saying on here to his face. LEGALLY he did not nothing wrong. IN YOUR MIND he may have done something wrong. The law is the law and it is not what you think. Also, your grammer and spelling is horrible. -peace. :]
Posted by: CITIZEN on Mar 23, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Instead of sitting at McDonalds and Superquick talking to woman and going out getting drunk maybe the cops in this town should concentrate on actually doing something right in this town instead of setting a really bad example to our community
Posted by: BillB on Mar 23, 2008 at 06:37 AM
Some of you have time understanding that it is not again the law to drive after drinking. It is again the law to drink while driving or to be drunk and drive. If you don't like this law try to get it changed.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 23, 2008 at 03:36 AM
it looks like this would be a elected office why isnt it ? the sheriff is why not this office?
Posted by: Citizen! on Mar 22, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I knew this was your father, but it don't matter if the President was your father. It is a shame for what he did and he knows it, but he don't care. It don't matter if he was under the limit, he had been driving when he shouldn't have been. But like I said before, it don't matter because he will get out of this mess and continue to do the same thing. The only problem is, the next time he does it, it could cost someone their life because of your father.........Just because people get on this site and voice their opinions about this situation does mean they don't have a life, they are just concerned about theirselves and their families. I thought people had a freedom to speech, but by your laws, I guess they don't.
Posted by: Jolisa on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Well guess what if you did not know I am his daughter. THANKS!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 20, 2008 at 09:40 PM
"he expects to remain as the city's police chief."who is the boss?
Posted by: Lewis County on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I'm extremely shocked by some the people of our community is coming forward about Joe in a good way. I understand about his children doing so, but the adults it's mind blowing that people can be so blinded or don't want to throw stones. Eventually he will have to learn in order to be a pillar of the community that he needs to change some of his behaviors. It's totally up to him on how he decides to continue with his lifestyle and things seem to be getting worse as time passes for him. I really didn't know his age until the press was released and by this time if he doesn't see the light that people will critize him more so and than give him a good praise it's human nature to always to call out the bad in a person. Hopefully after this ordeal and I believe he will keep his job and the ksp will be transported to another county. I don't know how many chances he is willing to take and if nothing at all think about who he is hurting more so than himself please think of your children.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 20, 2008 at 06:10 PM
my son matt haddox has passed away june 1 2007 let me tell you about this town it is so awful that it wont even investigate my sons death please if any one knows anything about my son please comment back...miss haddox a desperate mother thank you
Posted by: Vanceburg resident on Mar 20, 2008 at 03:42 PM
I agree will a mother as well posting. Vanceburg needs more cops like Tom as a police officer. I have never seen him hang out at the VFW. Who runs the DARE program anyway, Tom used to and I know that he doesnt drink or party. Like the Mother as well quoted "this should have taught him a lesson" but like others we know that it won't. It's behavior like Joe's is the reason most of the residents are leaving this county. They are just tired of the "good old boy mentality".
Posted by: CITIZEN VANCEBURG on Mar 20, 2008 at 11:14 AM
ITS ABOUT TIME HE GETS CAUGHT INSTEAD OF GETTING OFF AND THE MAYOR NEEDS TO MAKE SURE SOMETHINGS DONE ABOUT IT HES SUPPOSE TO BE AN EXAMPLE. WELL I DEFINETLEY DONT WANT MY KIDS FOLLOWING THAT EXAMPLE
Posted by: A Mother As Well on Mar 20, 2008 at 09:17 AM
To the Mother that wrote, If you knew Joe at all, you would know that he is a bad person. How would you have liked it if you and your child were out driving that night and Joe hit and killed you and your child? I feel that the KSP do a good job and put their lives on the line, but the city police in Vanceburg never put their neck on the line. I agree that they are under staffed, but I don't agree they are under paid. Obviously, they get paid good to do nothing at work all day and then go out and drink every night. I agree that we need more cops in Vanceburg, espe