Police cooperation leads to arrests in murder case

Katie Stallcup
Staff writer
Published: June 18, 2008

Cooperation among law enforcement agencies helped a Macon County deputy arrest two Florida murder suspects Wednesday, law enforcement officials said.

John Eugene Odom, 38, and Susan Marie Wallen, 32, both of Lakeland, Fla., are suspected of shooting Florida brothers-in-law Henry Todd Bruder and Dion Travis White, according to a statement released by the Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office.

Bruder’s body was found Saturday in the Lakeland house he and White shared. White was found Sunday in the woods behind the house.

The murders were likely drug-related, and Bruder an innocent victim, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Carrie Rodgers said Wednesday.

“(The arrests are) just an example of what you can accomplish when agencies work together,” Auburn police Assistant Chief Tommy Dawson said.

The couple was seen on video taken at the Auburn Wal-Mart on South College Street sometime before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dawson said. The two bought water, ice, eggs and sausage at the store.

Auburn police alerted area law enforcement agencies, Dawson said.

“There are two things criminals can’t overcome, and that’s citizens helping us and working together with other agencies,” Dawson said.

Polk County authorities told camping at the Tuskegee National Forrest campground, and Dawson said his division gave the information to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office.

“Sgt. (Michael) Knowles went over to the National Forest office, and he was passing information on to the park police officer there,” Macon County Sheriff David Warren said. “…(Park) Officer (Charles) Foote went out, spotted the suspect, who had come into the park ranger’s office, and they were able to take him down right there.”

Knowles then arrested Wallen, who was in a truck with two children, Warren said.

The children, ages 8 and 13, are Wallen’s sons, according to the Polk County statement. The boys have been taken into custody of the Department of Human Resources and will be released to family members, Warren said.

Odom and Wallen are being held at the Macon County Jail without bond, awaiting Polk County officials, he said.

The two will be extradited to Polk County to face two counts each of first-degree murder and grand theft auto, according to the Polk County statement.