AG Steve Marshall hosts 23rd Annual Alabama Law Enforcement Summit
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall hosted hundreds of law enforcement officials from all over the state of Alabama for the 23rd annual Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Summit on Thursday. The 2022 summit offered a day of instruction for police officers, sheriff’s offices, and State law enforcement officials. “With over 400 law enforcement agencies in Alabama, our men and women in uniform protect diverse communities with many different challenges,” said AG Marshall. “Each year, it is my honor to host the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Summit to share best practices and new legal information with Alabama law enforcement. It is not only a unique educational opportunity but a much-anticipated time for personnel to get to know their counterparts from across the state.” During the six-hour Summit, officials were updated on Alabama criminal law, personally delivered by Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals judges Chris McCool and Richard Minor. McCool and Minor were district attorneys before their election to the Court. That was followed by an in-depth training session focused on “Leadership During a Crisis,” provided by former South Carolina police chief Byron Snellgrove, whose community was thrust into the national spotlight during the investigation of the disappearance of a six-year-old girl. There was also a commemoration for fallen officers who lost their lives in the line of duty since last year’s Summit. Marshall recognized the sacrifices of the following fallen officers: Senior Trooper Jason Lynn Vice of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), died on September 9, 2021, as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Trooper Vice served 15 years with ALEA and was assigned to the Highway Patrol Unit at the Tuscaloosa-Selma Highway Patrol Post. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, sister, father, grandmother, and stepfather. Ider Police Chief Buddy Ray Crabtree died on October 30, 2021, from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Chief Crabtree served with the Ider Police Department for ten years and had previously served with the Bridgeport Police Department. He is survived by his wife, four children, and eight grandchildren. Constable Madison “Skip” Nicholson of the Wilcox County Constable’s Office died on December 1, 2021, after being shot while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Yellow Bluff. Nicholson was a 40-year Wilcox County law enforcement veteran, having served as full-time and reserve deputy sheriff and an elected constable. He was previously wounded in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, and eight grandchildren. Investigator Steven Ray Finley of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office died on January 14, 2022, due to contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Investigator Finley was a United States Army veteran and served with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office for 29 years. He is survived by his wife. Lieutenant Kevin Pounders of the Hanceville Police Department died on January 23, 2022, as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Lt. Pounders was a United States Marine Corps veteran who served with the Hanceville Police Department for 24 years. He is survived by his wife, son, grandchild, and mother. Deputy Sheriff Steve Bobbitt of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office died on February 3, 2022, as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Deputy Bobbitt served the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and one granddaughter. Corporal Keith Morgan of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office died on February 16, 2022, as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Cpl. Morgan served with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Sergeant Christopher Michael Vaughn of the Cedar Bluff Police Department died on April 1, 2022, from a medical condition after assisting in a vehicle pursuit that resulted in a vehicle crash. Sgt. Vaughn served with the Cedar Bluff Police Department for six years and previously served with the Leesburg Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, parents, and brother. Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner of the Vestavia Hills Police Department died on April 6, 2022, from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Officer Fortner served with the Vestavia Hills Police Department for over seven years and previously served 20 years with the Birmingham Police Department. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, three grandchildren, mother, and sister. Deputy Sheriff J’Mar Colin Abel of the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office died on June 20, 2022, from a vehicle crash while assisting the Roanoke Police Department in pursuing a suspect. Deputy Abel lost his life on his second anniversary with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his father and fiancée. Deputy Sheriff Bradly Steven Henry Johnson of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office died on June 30, 2022, from a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while encountering a suspect who fired on Deputy Johnson and a second deputy. Deputy Johnson served with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for eight years. He is survived by his fiancée, two children, and his parents. Officer Ivan Mauricio Lopez of the Mount Vernon Police Department died on August 22, 2022, when a vehicle driving approximately 90 mph ran a stop sign and struck his patrol car. Officer Lopez served with the Mount Vernon Police Department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Corrections Officer Rickey Cooper of the Alabama Department of Corrections died on August 27, 2022, after collapsing while on duty at Easterling Correctional Facility. Officer Cooper served with the Alabama Department of Corrections since 2007 and would have completed 15 years on September 4. He is survived by his mother, son, and two grandsons. “As with much of the nation, Alabama continues to experience an increase in law enforcement deaths in recent years,” AG Marshall observed. “The commitment to protect and serve is absolutely vital to the long-term safety of our cities and towns, yet it also comes with great risk. Too many of our best in uniform have lost their lives on duty, leaving behind families and friends. Law enforcement is not only a protection force but also a very big family, and it is important for us to come together each year to honor those we have
State awards death benefit claims to 15 employees for on-the-job injuries including 11 who died from COVID-19
The State Board of Adjustment has approved 15 claims for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses. Eleven of those deaths were a result of COVID-19 contracted while on the job during the global pandemic. Juan Manuel Gomez-Lopez was a Pelham Police officer who died from COVID-19. His widow received $126,072. Brandon Wyatt Ard was an Orange Beach Police officer who died from COVID-19. On October 27, 2021, his family’s claim was denied. The Comptrollers reversed that decision and voted to pay his daughter’s claim of $126,072. Buddy Ray Crabtree was the Police Chief of Ider. He also contracted and died from COVID-19. The family of Chief Crabtree claim was also initially denied compensation in February. That decision was reversed at the August meeting, and the Board voted to pay his widow $126,072. Steven Ray Finley was an investigator with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. He also contracted and perished from COVID-19. In February, the state rejected the claim. That decision was reversed, and his widow received $134,897. Selma Police Officer Marquise Moorer was shot and killed on duty. He was ambushed at his home, returning to eat lunch. His mother received a death benefit of $124,331. Michael Keith Morgan was a corporal with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Department. He died from complications from COVID-19. In March, his family’s claim was denied. That decision was reversed, and the board voted to pay his widow $126,072. Harry Marvin Hutchinson Jr. died from COVID-19 while working for the Blount County Sheriff’s Department. His widow was awarded $126,072. Larry Vincent was a firefighter who died from organ failure due to cancer he contracted from exposure to firefighting foam. His widow received $134,897. Darryl Wayne Fortner was a Vestavia Hills Police officer Darryl who died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. His widow received $134,897. McAdory Fire Chief Jeff Ray Wyatt died from cardiopulmonary arrest. His widow was awarded $134,897. Brice Jordan was a firefighter with the Georgia Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. He was also killed by COVID-19. His widow received $126,072. Shannon Marie Jordan was also a member of the Georgia Mountain Fire Department who died from COVID-19. Her adult children were awarded $126,072. She was the daughter of Brice Jordan and went on a ventilator just two days after his death from the same illness. Lieutenant Justin Keith Roberts was an Anniston firefighter with 20 years of service who died from COVID-19. His widow received $126,072. Doyce Julian Thomas Sr. was a Huntsville firefighter who died from cancer. His widow received $134,897. Ricky Lee Woods was a longtime member of the Sumiton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad who died from COVID-19. His father was awarded $124,331. COVID-19 claims were originally not a cause of death that the state would pay a claim for, even if it could be determined that the victim contracted the illness doing their duties for the state. The legislature passed House Bill 488 during the 2022 legislative session to change that retroactively. The State Board of Adjustment hears claims against the state from citizens and vendors. The Board of Adjustment is also designated in state statute as the “awarding authority” for benefits to families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty and National Guardsmen who perish while “quelling a riot, rout or civil disturbance.” The members of the Board of Adjustment include State Auditor Jim Zeigler, State Treasurer Young Boozer, State Finance Director Bill Poole, and Secretary of State John Merrill. “The families of law enforcement and state employees who die in the line of duty deserve compensation,” said Zeigler. “It is up to us on the Board of Adjustment to determine if it was a job-related death.” The State Board of Adjustment decides all claims against the state. It approved the claims in an August 17 meeting. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
