After two hours, authorities determined Durham was inside his family's home on Dan George Road. Investigators spend the afternoon searching the house for clues as to how this happened. Authorities say the sheriff did have wounds on his body, but would not confirm if they were bullet wounds or bruises from a beating. Sheriff Mullin's gun was still in his holster. Sheriff Mullin's death comes as a shock to his department.
Deputies say they've lost a good boss and a great friend.
Kristopher Durham is being held in Jasper County, where he's being questioned, but authorities say the young man has not been charged with anything at this time. Sheriff Mullins was elected sheriff in November of 1999. He was a lifetime resident of Simpson County. Before becoming sheriff, Mullins spent four years on the county board of supervisors. Mullins is the second Simpson County sheriff in the last six years to be killed in the line of duty.