Thursday, March 28, 2024

Blue Line News

Ala. officer shot and killed, suspects in custody

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Credit: Carol Robinson – Alabama Media Group

MOODY, Ala. — A Moody police sergeant was shot and killed after responding to a call at the Super 8 motel.

Chief Thomas Hunt identified the slain officer as Sgt. Stephen Williams. Williams, a 50-year-old father of three, had been a police officer for 23 years, the last three of those at the Moody Police Department. He began his law enforcement career at the Bessemer Police Department.

Williams was a father of three, according to a Gofundme account set up for the family.

Hunt said Williams had just been promoted to sergeant in the past year and was a recipient of the Keith Turner Office of the Year Award.

Turner was shot to death June 27, 1998 and was the last Moody officer killed in the line of duty.

“Oh, he was awesome,’’ Hunt said of Williams. “He was just a good man, a good person, fun to be around.”

“He was very thorough in his reports, a good teach, a good mentor,’’ the chief said. “A lot of the guys looked up to Steve.”

“All I can ask is for everybody to please be in prayer for the Williams family and for the Moody police department,” Hunt said.

Williams often fed an American bulldog, Champ, that recognized his patrol vehicle when Williams drove by the city park. “He knows I’m his favorite policeman and I have treats,” Williams said in a Facebook video.

Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Jay Town released this statement: “Moody Police Sergeant Stephen Williams’ end of watch has come much too soon. Our condolences and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow officers. His loss is a loss for all of Alabama. This serves as yet another heartbreaking and stark reminder of the perils encountered by law enforcement each day.”

The shooting happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. at the motel on Moody Parkway. A medical helicopter was sent for Williams, but the officer was instead taken by ambulance to UAB Hospital instead.

Two suspects – a male and female – were taken into custody. Police had the motel where the officer was shot surrounded for hours.

Amar Fouda just moved into the Super 8 on U.S. 411. He said it was about 9:25 when he heard a lot of noise in Room 214, which is directly next to his room.

“I heard like an AK-47,’’ he said. Fouda said he ran into the bathroom and hid in the tub.

When he saw blue lights come on the scene, he looked outside. “I saw one of the officers, he was down,’’ Fouda said.

He said he didn’t know why police were at the motel but said his neighbors “had been making a lot of noise.”

Hunt said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the St. Clair Sheriff’s Office will be heading the investigation.

Williams is the second Alabama police officer shot to death in the line of duty in 2020.

Kimberly police officer Nick O’Rear was fatally shot on Feb. 4 during a pursuit on Interstate 65 South.McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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