WALB is working to produce a video for this story. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch our livestream.

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Dougherty County Police Department (DCPD) is speaking out after renewed public interest following national media coverage into the death of William “Jake” Embert.

Dateline released an episode, “Malice”, where NBC’s Blayne Alexander reported on the 2014 murder of Jake Embert.

In that episode, a recorded call between Yvonne Magnus, the sister of the victim Jake Embert, and a lieutenant was played aloud. You can hear Magnus say she’s calling in reference to the death of her brother.

Shortly after you hear the lieutenant on the phone say, “...the evidence at scene, and the evidence that we have come across since then there’s nothing that would lead our agency to believe it was a homicide. So if it went wrong, then I guess it’ll come back on me. You know it is what it is. And I can’t change what happened. You know from the investigation, that’s what we have determined.”

In a Facebook post, DCPD said in response to media inquiries, the department provided the following official statement:

“The Dougherty County Police Department is aware of questions that have been raised regarding its investigation of the unfortunate death of William ‘Jake’ Embert.

This case has been fully adjudicated through the court system, where all available evidence, investigative actions, and witness testimony were examined in detail. A jury rendered a verdict after considering the totality of the facts presented.

Out of respect for the integrity of the judicial process, the Dougherty County Police Department declines to further comment on the matter. We remain committed to ensuring all of our investigations are conducted in good faith and in accordance with applicable policies and the law.”

A few days later, Rachel Embert, the daughter of the victim, responded to DCPD respectfully asking that it’s office consider engaging in an open and constructive dialogue about what lessons have been learned since the death of Jake Embert.

“In the spirit of accountability, our family respectfully asks the Dougherty County Police Department to address the following questions for our community:

1. Has the department conducted an internal review of the original investigation into my father’s death to determine whether investigative procedures should be improved?

2. What policy changes, training measures, or safeguards-if any-will be implemented to ensure future death investigations receive the level of scrutiny and diligence that every family deserves?

3. Will the department commit to publicly sharing what lessons were learned from this case so that our community can have confidence and complete transparency that similar circumstances will never occur again?"

DCPD did not respond.

WALB plans to sit down with Rachel Embert to introduce a statewide initiative she drafted together with the help of her aunt Yvonne Magnus. The William ‘Jake’ Embert Act, Embert’s Law Investigative Integrity & Victims’ Rights Act, is an 11-page document prepared for the Georgia General Assembly. Highlighting why the legislation is needed, it’s core purpose, and primary reform areas.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.