By Joshua Huff, sports editor
MOODY — Slain Moody police Sgt. Stephen Williams will be laid to rest on Monday, June 8, 2020, at the First Baptist Church in Moody, the Southern Heritage Funeral Home announced.
Williams’ visitation will be held on June 7, 2020 at 5 p.m. at the Southern Heritage Funeral Home, which is located at 475 Cahaba Valley Road, in Pelham. A funeral service will follow on June 8, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Moody First Baptist Church, located at 902 Church Street, in Moody.
Williams was killed on Tuesday evening following a shootout at the Super 8 in Moody. The events leading up to the shooting are vague, but Moody Police Chief Thomas Hunt said that Williams was shot on arrival.
St. Clair County Sheriff Billy Murray said once the officers responded to the call, which came from the room where the incident happened, the situation escalated very quickly. Two suspects were taken into custody after law enforcement cleared the hotel room, ensuring no other suspects were inside. After the scene was secured, investigators said they found multiple firearms inside the hotel room.
Following the shooting, Williams was transported to UAB Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead. A medical helicopter had arrived to the scene, but was not used.
Williams was a 23-year veteran and had been with the Moody Police Department for three years. He had been promoted to sergeant in the past year and was honored with the Chiefs Award of Excellence during the 2019 Christmas Banquet.
“He was awesome,” Hunt said of the father of three. “He was a good man. A good person, funny to be around.”
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled a press conference for 1 p.m. on Friday to announce arrests.