State Trooper expected to recover after Sunday shooting
Published 7:30 am Friday, April 14, 2023
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Editor’s Note: This story was provided to the Andalusia Star-News by Lisa Tindell of The Brewton Standard.
Alabama State Trooper Cpl. Jeremy Alford is expected to make a complete recovery after he was shot Sunday evening in Escambia County.
The incident took place on Alabama Hwy. 41 just north of Brewton sometime after 6:30 p.m. as a chase ended near Emmons Road in the area.
Officials with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency say Cpl. Alford attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle near the 101-mile marker on I-65 in Conecuh County around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The driver of the vehicle attempted to elude and a pursuit began. The vehicle exited I-65 at the Brewton exit and traveled along U.S. Hwy. 41 before leaving the roadway.
Once the vehicle left the roadway, gunshots were fired at Alford and he returned fire on the suspect.
The shooting left one suspect dead and two others injured. The injured victims were transported to a local hospital. Information on their conditions has not been made available.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said a visit with Alford on Monday resulted in some good news for the injured officer.
“After visiting with Cpl. Alford and his family this morning, I am extremely relieved and thankful to share that he is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery,” Taylor said. “Cpl. Alford acted with true courage and heroism over the course of the incident and was able to secure the scene and ensure public safety while injured. With nearly three decades in law enforcement, Cpl. Alford is a true professional and public servant, dedicated to keeping the citizens of his local community and the State of Alabama safe. I ask that you please continue to keep Cpl. Alford and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as we all look forward to a speedy recovery.”
ALEA officials say the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation has been called to investigate the officer-involved shooting incident.
Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing. Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Escambia County District Attorney’s Office.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office provided security and assistance at the scene just north of Brewton in Escambia County.
Officials say the three occupants of the fleeing vehicle, including the deceased, were all Georgia residents. The two surviving suspects are in custody at the Escambia County Detention Center with charges pending.
No bond has been set for either suspect in the case.