By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- A federal judge dismissed a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Priceville Police Officer Garry Chapman on July 30, ruling the complaint was too vague to establish specific legal claims.
- Chapman was fired following a high-speed pursuit on September 6, 2025, that resulted in a crash killing 17-year-old Tristan Hollis; Chapman was reinstated ten days after termination.
- Chapman’s lawsuit claimed he was targeted for retaliation after reporting misconduct by a fellow officer and that department leadership “papered” his file with previously undisclosed minor issues following his complaint.
- The DUI suspect Chapman pursued, Archie Hale, was charged with reckless murder; the three other teens in the vehicle struck during the crash sustained serious injuries but survived.
- Judge Harold D. Mooty III granted Chapman until August 14 to amend the complaint and address deficiencies identified in the dismissal order.
PRICEVILLE, ALA. — U.S. District Court Judge Harold D. Mooty III dismissed a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Priceville Police Officer Garry Chapman on July 30, determining that the complaint failed to establish clear legal claims connecting facts to specific allegations.
On September 6, 2025, Chapman initiated a high-speed pursuit of a suspected drunk driver through downtown Hartselle. The pursuit reached speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour. The suspect vehicle, operated by Archie Hale, collided with a vehicle carrying four teenagers: Tristan Hollis, 17, and three additional occupants.
Hollis sustained fatal injuries in the collision. The three other teenagers sustained serious injuries but survived. Hale was charged with reckless murder in connection with the incident.
Chapman was terminated from his position with the Priceville Police Department on September 22, 2025. He filed an appeal with the Priceville City Council, which voted to approve his reinstatement on October 2, 2025, approximately ten days after his termination.
In his wrongful termination lawsuit, Chapman sued the City of Priceville, Mayor Sam Heflin, former Police Chief Jerry Holmes, City Attorney William Sanderson, and current Police Chief Jason Wigginton. Chapman asserted that department leadership retaliated against him after he reported misconduct by a fellow officer.
According to the lawsuit, rather than addressing the reported misconduct, department leadership “immediately shifted the scrutiny onto Plaintiff, questioning why he was concerned with the actions of other officers and dredging up previously undisclosed, minor issues to begin ‘papering’ his personnel file.”
Chapman claimed that he was targeted in retaliation for raising concerns about officer misconduct and for his protected activity in reporting that misconduct to supervisory personnel.
Judge Mooty ruled that Chapman’s complaint was insufficiently detailed and failed to identify which specific defendants were responsible for which particular actions or violations. Mooty determined that the complaint lacked sufficient specificity to state valid legal claims.
Chapman’s legal representation can amend the complaint to address Judge Mooty’s criticisms. An amended complaint must be filed by August 14. Chapman remains employed with the Priceville Police Department.
Chapman is also defending against a separate civil lawsuit in which he is alleged to have participated in conduct contributing to the death of John Scott Jr. during a police encounter. Court documents claim Chapman “battered” Scott, leading to his death.