On Thursday, two Bibb County deputies were awarded the Alabama Law Enforcement Medal of Honor for their successful pursuit of a dangerous career criminal. Deputies Brad Johnson and Chris Poole engaged in a high-speed pursuit of Austin Hall. After crashing the stolen car, Hall engaged the officers in a deadly gun battle. Both officers were shot in the gun battle with Hall. Officer Johnson was declared dead the next day.
House Resolution 181 reads: “COMMENDING DEPUTY BRAD JOHNSON AS A RECIPIENT FOR THE 2023 ALABAMA LEGISLATIVE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHEREAS, it is with highest commendation that we recognize Deputy Brad Johnson as a recipient of the 2023 Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement, Alabama’s highest law enforcement award for extraordinary courage in the line of duty; and WHEREAS, on June 29, 2022, Deputy Chris Poole initiated the pursuit of a vehicle that was reported stolen in Calera and driven by a 26-year-old felon, who had been arrested on 46 criminal charges since the age of 17; at periods during the pursuit, speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour; and WHEREAS, the driver lost control of the vehicle and began firing gunshots towards Deputy Poole, who reported on his radio that he had been shot and urged Deputy Johnson, who had joined the pursuit, to back off because of the continuing gunfire; and WHEREAS, Deputy Johnson, who was determined to provide support for Deputy Poole, arrived at the scene, began firing, and placed two shots through the windshield; as Deputy Johnson stepped onto the side rail of his Sheriff’s Department vehicle, he successfully fired two additional rounds before sustaining a gunshot wound as well; both deputies were transported by police escort to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where Poole was treated and released, and Johnson was placed on life support, which was removed the following day; and WHEREAS, Deputy Brad Johnson was pronounced dead shortly after 3:15 P.M. on June 30, 2022; andWHEREAS, for his bravery on June 29, 2022, and for the events that followed, Deputy Brad Johnson, is highly honored and deserving of the 2023 Legislative Medal of Honor; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That we hereby recognize and honor the late Deputy Brad Johnson as recipient of the 2023 Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement and by copy of this resolution prepared in honor and tribute, we commend his memory to the citizens of Alabama.”
House Resolution 179 is the resolution honoring Deputy Poole.
Poole was present with his family, as was the family of the late Deputy Johnson and members of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department.
The Law Enforcement Medal of Honor is awarded annually by the Legislature.
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth told the members of law enforcement present for the joint session: “On behalf of the people of Alabama, we appreciate what you do to keep Alabama safety.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed said, “When we are at our worse, they are at their best.”
Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter said, “What an honor it is to be here today in the presence of greatness.”
“We pray for you, and we pray that God puts his protection around you,” Ledbetter added. “Thank you for your service and what you do for our state.”
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor thanked the Legislature for giving this annual award and credited former State Rep. Howard Sanderford for starting this, “and thank you for keeping it going.”
“What yall do every day is absolutely incredible for the people of Alabama,” Taylor told the officers. “We appreciate you more than you now.”
Rep. Rex Reynolds said, “In Alabama, we stand with law enforcement.”
Reynolds warned, “The law enforcement profession is under attack.”
Reynolds said that since he was 17, Hall had been charged with 49 prior offenses prior to his violent encounters with Deputies Poole and Johnson.
Hall had been released from prison just days prior on good time, even though he had other charges pending in the courts.
Alabama Today asked if Hall should have been out of prison last June.
“That was the basis for Senator [April] Weaver’s bill,” Reynolds said. That bill significantly curtailed good time sentence reductions awarded by prison wardens.
Reynolds said that a similar situation occurred with the Huntsville police officer who was killed earlier this year.
Reynolds is the former Huntsville Chief of Police.
The awards ceremony occurred during a special joint session of both Houses of the Alabama Legislature.
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