Criminal Details

Heavy.com
Jessica McBride – June 3, 2020 at 2:19 AM CDT

Sgt. Stephen Williams: A Tribute to the Moody, Alabama Officer

Sgt. Stephen Williams, the Moody, Alabama police officer who was shot and killed on duty at a Super 8 hotel, was remembered as a good man who was a good teacher and mentor to other officers. A recent Facebook video posted by the Police Department captured him feeding a bulldog at a local park.

Chief Thomas Hunt called into CBS 42 television station and identified the slain officer as Williams, a 23-year policing veteran who had been with the Moody police force for three years.

“He was awesome. He was awesome,” said Hunt. “Just a good man. A good person. Funny to be around…He had been a sergeant with us…worked night shift for us. Very thorough in his paperwork, very thorough as a sergeant. He was a good teacher and a good mentor, and a lot of guys looked up to Stephen. He was a very good close friend.”

U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town released a 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.”

Here’s what you need to know:

Two Suspects Are in Custody in the Death of Williams, an Award-Winning Night Shift Sergeant

According to Hunt, Williams worked as a night shift sergeant for the PD. He said that the investigation was still ongoing, so he couldn’t release many details, including “how and why this happened.”

Hunt said that Williams was so-highly regarded he recently received a Keith Turner officer of the year award from the department.

“I ask everyone for prayer for the Williams family and the Moody Police Department,” the chief said. “As more information becomes available, we will be able to release more at that time.”

He added that he didn’t know what the initial call was about, but he confirmed the shooting happened during a law enforcement response to a Super 8 motel and that two people, a male and a female, are in custody.

The chief said that loud bangs heard by journalists at the scene were from “SWAT teams shooting tear gas into the actual hotel room.” Police were clearing it out to “make sure no other suspects involved,” he said, but there were not.

According to AL.com, police surrounded the hotel “for hours.” A man staying in the hotel told the newspaper he heard a sound from the room next door that sounded “like an AK-47.” Police have not specified the actual weapon used.

Williams Often Stopped to Feed a Local Bulldog

In January, the Police Department posted what is now a heartbreaking video. “Max knows his favorite Moody police officer has treats. He recognizes the cruiser and starts drooling,” the caption reads. “Champ is a one year old American Bulldog and doesn’t know his own strength. He gets so excited for our visit! He’s a good boy!! Show us your good doggos in the comments section. We are sorry we had picture comments disallowed but they should be turned on now.”

“Going to see my buddy. There’s my body, champ,” the officer says in the video, showing off the dog treats. “He’s going to come see me. He knows I’m his favorite policeman, and I have treats all the time.”

Although you don’t see the officer in the video, AL.com reported that the officer in the video was Sgt. Williams.

People Offered Prayers & Condolences as Word of the Officer’s Death Spread

People began filling the Police Department’s Facebook page with condolences about the officer. “I’m so very sorry! Please accept my sincere condolences for the tragic loss of an awesome person and Police Officer!” wrote one.

“Praying and God bless all of you for your selfless acts of service and dedication to protect our community! [prayer icon][love icon] wrote another.

“Prayers for my Brothers!” a man wrote.

Source: View Heavy.com Article

Criminal Details

WSFA.com
WSFA Staff Reports – June 2, 2020 at 10:32 PM CDT – Updated June 3 at 1:05 PM

Police officer shot and killed in the line of duty in Moody, Ala.; 2 suspects in custody

MOODY, Ala. (WBRC) – Authorities with the Moody Police Department confirm one of their officers was shot and killed in the line of duty Tuesday evening.

The officer is identified as 50-year-old Sergeant Stephen Williams. Chief Thomas Hunt says Sgt. Williams had been with the Moody Police Department for three years and was a 23 year law enforcement veteran. He was married and had three children.

“He was awesome. He was awesome – just a good man, good person, funny to be around, won officer of the year award a couple years ago. Made rank of sergeant last year, worked night shift for us. Very thorough in his paperwork, very thorough as a sergeant, good teacher and a good mentor. Lot of guys looked up to Stephen. He was a very good close friend,” Moody Police Chief Thomas Hunt said.

It all happened at the Super 8 located at 2451 Moody Parkway/Highway 411 just off Interstate 20. Moody Police initially responded to the scene but multiple agencies were called in to assist.

We’re told Sgt. Williams was shot multiple times. No other officers were injured in the incident.

Police say two suspects – a male and female – are in custody. The scene is clear.

Sgt. Williams previously work with Calera PD for two and a half years, Alabaster PD for 15 years and Bessemer PD for more than a year and a half.

The investigation into Sgt. Williams’ death is being handled by ALEA and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office shared video of the procession to bring Sgt. Williams’ body to Huntsville for an autopsy.

U.S. Attorney Jay Town released the following statement on the death of Sgt. Williams:

“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.”

Gov. Kay Ivey released the following statement Wednesday morning:

“I am deeply saddened to hear Sergeant Stephen Williams was killed in the line of duty last night. He served the Moody Police Department with distinction and had a long, honorable career in law enforcement. In the end, he died a hero, fulfilling the oath he swore to do — to uphold the community he served.

“Beyond his career in law enforcement, he was a father, and now, three children are left without their dad. We must not forget Sgt. Williams’ ultimate sacrifice was that of his family.

“This senseless violence must end. Every day, brave men and women who wear the badge put their lives on the line in order to keep us safe. We are greatly indebted for his service on our behalf. I ask the people of Alabama to join me in prayer for his family, friends and his brothers in arms.”

ALEA’s Secretary Hal Taylor released this statement Wednesday:

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of yet another law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Sergeant Stephen Williams bravely committed 23 years of his life to protecting and serving his community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow officers of the Moody Police Department. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten as we mourn alongside the entire law enforcement community.”

Attorney General Steven Marshall issued the following statement Wednesday:

“I was devastated to receive the phone call late last night that another one of our law enforcement heroes had lost his life. I have been slow to make a public statement today because, after a record-breaking year of law enforcement deaths in our state, words just seem so inadequate.

“Sergeant Williams was responding to a call for help at local hotel. He showed up, ready to assist, and was instantly shot dead. At this point, we have no reason to believe that Sergeant Williams’s shooting is related to the unrest we’re witnessing across the nation. Nevertheless, our state has been plagued in recent months by a lack of respect for law enforcement—most of whom are genuinely good men and women, from all backgrounds, doing an incredibly difficult job.

“Whether black or white, law enforcement or civilian, we are all Alabamians. None of us benefit from lawlessness. As I shared with Moody Police Chief Hunt last night, my prayers and deepest sympathies are with the department and Sergeant Williams’s family. My Office stands ready to assist in any way that we can.”

District Attorney Danny Carr’s released this statement Wednesday:

“District Attorney Danny Carr and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office sends its condolences to the family of Sergeant Stephen Williams and the Moody Police Department. We are grateful for his devoted service as a law enforcement officer for 23 years. Sergeant Williams’ family and the entire community are in our prayers.”

Copyright 2020 WBRC. All rights reserved.

Source: View WSFA.com Article

Criminal Details

AL.com
Carol Robinson – Updated Jun 03, 2020; Posted Jun 02, 2020

Moody police sergeant killed in shooting at Super 8 motel

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 Officer of the Year award in memory of Keith Turner,who 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.

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.

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.

“I am deeply saddened to hear Sergeant Stephen Williams was killed in the line of duty last night. He served the Moody Police Department with distinction and had a long, honorable career in law enforcement. In the end, he died a hero, fulfilling the oath he swore to do — to uphold the community he served,” a statement from Gov. Kay Ivey read.

“Beyond his career in law enforcement, he was a father, and now, three children are left without their dad. We must not forget Sgt. Williams’ ultimate sacrifice was that of his family.

“This senseless violence must end. Every day, brave men and women who wear the badge put their lives on the line in order to keep us safe. We are greatly indebted for his service on our behalf. I ask the people of Alabama to join me in prayer for his family, friends and his brothers in arms.”

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.”

Alabama General Steven Marshall said he was devastated to receive the phone call about Williams’ death. “I have been slow to make a public statement today because, after a record-breaking year of law enforcement deaths in our state, words just seem so inadequate,” Marshall said.

“Sergeant Williams was responding to a call for help at local hotel. He showed up, ready to assist, and was instantly shot dead. At this point, we have no reason to believe that Sergeant Williams’s shooting is related to the unrest we’re witnessing across the nation. Nevertheless, our state has been plagued in recent months by a lack of respect for law enforcement—most of whom are genuinely good men and women, from all backgrounds, doing an incredibly difficult job.

“Whether black or white, law enforcement or civilian, we are all Alabamians. None of us benefit from lawlessness,” he said. “As I shared with Moody Police Chief Hunt last night, my prayers and deepest sympathies are with the department and Sergeant Williams’s family. My office stands ready to assist in any way that we can.”

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of yet another law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Sergeant Stephen Williams bravely committed 23 years of his life to protecting and serving his community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow officers of the Moody Police Department. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten as we mourn alongside the entire law enforcement community.”

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.

Source: View AL.com Article