Justin Taylor Billa, a 27-year-old male police officer, died on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, in Mobile, Alabama, after being shot in the line of duty. The events that led to his death began earlier that evening when police discovered the body of 58-year-old Fonda Poellnitz. The investigation into her death quickly identified her 71-year-old ex-husband, Robert Hollie, as a person of interest.
Officers, including Justin Billa, proceeded to Hollie's residence on Avondale Court to make
contact with him. As law enforcement was establishing a perimeter around the house, Hollie opened fire from inside, striking Billa. The wounded officer was immediately evacuated from the scene and transported to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting of Officer Billa, a standoff ensued with Robert Hollie, who remained barricaded inside his home for several hours. Officers attempted to negotiate with him, but their efforts were unsuccessful. When members of the SWAT team eventually gained entry to the residence, they found Hollie deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No arrests were made in connection with Officer Billa's death as the sole suspect took his own life.
