From Trussville Tribune staff reports
VESTAVIA HILLS — Vestavia Hills police have identified the officer who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head Wednesday, according to Carol Robinson.
Officer Robert “Bobby” Hancock
Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills Police Department Facebook page
A post on the department’s Facebook page reads, “Officer Robert “Bobby” Hancock’s tour of duty ended yesterday. Bobby loved serving as a police officer and was loved by each of us at VHPD. He will forever be missed by all who knew him.
“We ask for community’s continued prayers for Bobby’s family, friends and colleagues. We also ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Hancock joined VHPD in 2013 after previously working for Bessemer Police Department.
Hancock was found Wednesday after Vestavia Hills Police Department and Vestavia Hills Fire Department responded to the report of an officer suffering from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound around 11:30 a.m., according to a statement released by the VHPD.
Hancock was found behind a barber shop owned by his wife on U.S. 31, according to Robinson.
Hancock was transported to UAB Hospital with a police escort, where he died soon after arrival.
18 Comments
Kathy Sills
Jan Hudson
So very very sad! My sister in law posted today that an officer where she lives in NC did the same thing yesterday. My heart breaks. Prayers for the families!
Sandy Wright
Prayers for the family. So sorry
Amber Sikes Hall
What part of NC?
Jan Hudson
Amber Sikes Hall Spruce Pine
Amber Sikes Hall
Jan Hudson so sad 😞. I’m from NC originally that’s why I asked
Jan Hudson
Amber It’s heartbreaking! The officers wife in NC was my sister in laws nail tech so she knew the family and Spruce Pine is very small. Our officers need a lot of prayer. It’s a dangerous and stressful job. 😞
Paul Pale Coney
$5 says infidelity is involved
Scott White
I do not know the circumstances but no one is worth killing yourself over.
Tjo Johnson
Prayer for the family.
Henryand Susan Morris
So very sorry. Prayers for his family.
Diana Ingram
RIP Officer Hancock.
Scott White
Matt Coleman God Bless you Matt. But I will comment if I want to. I have a good feeling this was PTSD.. especially since it was done at his wife’s work. Permanent solution to a temporary problem. Don’t preach to me cause I have lost many friends to suicide. All preventable
Mick Phillips
Praying for the Family…. God Bless….
Scott White
I got your uneducated
Linda Smith
Insensitive remark
Linda Smith
Praying for family and all officers
Paul Pale Coney
Where is the lie?