Repo agent’s murder raises questions about job safety

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A Columbus County murder is bringing up concerns about safety in the repossession business.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office said early Tuesday morning Jeffrey David Lowe was allegedly shot in the head while trying to repossess a vehicle. The suspects, William Roy Kohler Jr. and William Roy Kohler III are both charged with murder.  

The incident is bringing forward concerns about the relationship between law enforcement and the repossession industry.

“That’s our last resort. That’s really anybody’s last resort is to call law enforcement,” said Trey Newton, a repo agent from Rockingham.

Newton has been working to get legislation in place that will better define that relationship. Calls to both the state senator and representative who represent Columbus County have not been returned.

He said it is not common for law enforcement to get involved in any repossession, and when they do there is a paperwork process that agents typically don’t have time for.

Both Columbus County Sheriff Lewis Hatcher and Chief Deputy Bobby Worley declined to speak on camera regarding the incident. But Major Worley insists that in over 20 years on the force he has never seen something like this involving a repo.

While Newton said there are some dangers that come along with the title of repo man, he believes eliminating what he considers to be inconsistencies between agents and law enforcement will help protect them on the job.