The mournful silence of a funeral in Chatham County, North Carolina, was shattered last week when Lee County Sheriff’s deputies descended on Liberty Chapel Church, hoping to apprehend a long-sought murder suspect. What was meant to be a solemn farewell to Kabem Smith turned into a scene of confusion, hostility, and heartbreak as law enforcement detained the wrong man—mistaking him for his brother, Willard Eugene Smith, a suspect in a 1995 homicide. The incident left family members and attendees reeling, their grief compounded by a confrontation that unfolded in the church parking lot, raising questions about the balance between justice and sensitivity in law enforcement operations.
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, deputies acted on multiple tips suggesting Willard Eugene Smith, wanted for the shooting death of Rodney Cotten nearly three decades ago, might be attending his brother’s funeral. Cotten was killed in June 1995 on East Forest Oaks Road near the Lee-Chatham County line, and Smith has evaded capture ever since, reportedly using aliases, including the name Willard Partridge, which appeared in the obituary as a surviving brother. Sheriff Brian Estes, who has served as Lee County Sheriff since 2022, explained that the tips represented a rare opportunity to close a case that has haunted the community for 30 years. The decision to pursue the lead at a funeral, however, was not taken lightly. Estes acknowledged the unusual nature of the operation, stating that such actions are not standard practice but were deemed necessary given the suspect’s history of elusiveness and the urgency of the moment.
As mourners exited the church, deputies moved to identify Smith in the crowd. The situation quickly escalated when they detained a man matching the suspect’s description—only to later discover he was another of Smith’s brothers, close in age and appearance. The mistaken identity sparked outrage among attendees, who surrounded the deputies’ vehicles, some rocking them and attempting to block their departure. The detained brother was held for eight hours at the sheriff’s office before being released, a delay that intensified the family’s frustration. One family friend, Bryant McKinney, described the ordeal as “the most unreal thing I’ve ever seen,” capturing the shock and disbelief that rippled through the crowd.
Sheriff Estes defended the deputies’ actions, emphasizing their efforts to maintain safety and de-escalate the tense situation. He expressed regret for the distress caused, noting that the sheriff’s office never intended to disrupt the service or disrespect the grieving family. The operation, he said, was driven by the need to seize what might have been their only chance to apprehend a suspect who has remained at large for decades. Despite the misstep, Estes underscored the department’s commitment to resolving the Cotten case, with a $10,000 reward still offered for information leading to Smith’s arrest.
The incident has sparked broader discussion about law enforcement tactics in sensitive settings. Funerals are sacred spaces, and the presence of deputies, coupled with the wrongful detention, left many feeling violated during a moment of profound loss. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has since clarified that their actions were guided by credible intelligence, but the mistake has prompted calls for greater care in such operations. For the family of Kabem Smith, the day meant to honor a loved one became a painful clash with authorities, leaving wounds that may take time to heal. The search for Willard Eugene Smith continues, as does the community’s quest for closure in a case that has lingered for far too long.
