The capture of a man charged with killing a Chillicothe police officer a year and a half ago is good news for residents. John Parsons was taken into custody just after noon yesterday in woods near a Chillicothe lumber yard. He had escaped from the Ross County jail in later July.
"We Got Him" was the headline of the Chillicothe Gazette's special edition that was rushed to the streets Thursday afternoon only hours after accused killer John W.Parsons had been apprehended in a crude shack.
Monica Rogers sold more than a hundred copies simply by hold them up to drivers on Main Street. It was another indication of how deeply the killing of police officer Larry Cox in April, 2005 had affected the community. At a Thursday afternoon press conference, members of the slain officer's family applauded as Ross County Sheriff Ronald Nichols unveiled Parson's FBI wanted poster now marked "Captured."
Parsons escaped from the Ross County jail July 29th. Sheriff Nichols says investigators received more than 700 tips during the escapee's almost 3 months on the run. Nichols says agents will continue to track those who may have aided the suspect.
"John Parsons had a lot of help out there helping him," Nichols said. "And we're still vigorously investigating those links."
Parsons was transferred to an undisclosed maximum security prison, according to Nichols.
Joy Cox, the mother of Officer Larry Cox, said she's relieved by the suspect's arrest.
"How I feel about to day? It's a blessed day. An answer to prayer," she said.