COWETA COUNTY, Ga. - A Conyers man who fired at multiple Georgia State Patrol troopers and shot a patrol K9 during a high-speed chase on Interstate 85 has been sentenced to years behind bars.


Ira Troy Williams, 53, pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to multiple charges stemming from the December 2024 pursuit in Coweta County. He was also sentenced to 35 years of probation.

Prosecutors said Williams fired multiple shots at the troopers as he tried to escape, including during a confrontation near Grantville. One of the gunshots hit K9 Amor, who was riding in Trooper Christopher Butler's patrol vehicle.

Veterinary treatment confirmed Amor suffered two gunshot wounds to his right legs. The dog recovered and continues to serve with the Georgia State Patrol, according to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.

The incident began around 1:45 p.m. Dec. 18, 2024, when Butler tried to stop a Chevrolet Cruze traveling southbound on I-85.

Williams initially pulled over and got out of the car at the trooper's direction, but then returned to the vehicle and drove away, prosecutors said.

Authorities said Williams sped away, weaving through traffic and abruptly braking as Butler pursued him. The trooper performed three precision immobilization technique, or PIT, maneuvers in an effort to stop the car.

After the third maneuver, Williams fired at Butler's patrol vehicle, hitting Amor.

Georgia State Patrol Sgt. David Whitehead and Cpl. Anthony Munoz joined the chase. Prosecutors said Williams fired multiple shots at all three troopers as the chase continued along I-85 and onto U.S. 29/Georgia 14.

After nearly seven minutes, Williams turned onto a dirt road just south of downtown Grantville and stopped near railroad tracks. He got out of the car and fired at least four more shots at the troopers, according to prosecutors.

Williams escaped that night. A search of the Chevrolet Cruze turned up two handguns, ammunition of multiple calibers and more than nine grams of cocaine.

A two-day manhunt ended Dec. 20, 2024, when two state troopers
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