From Tribune staff reports
HUNTSVILLE — According to the Huntsville Police Department (HPD), officers responded to a shooting call at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday in the 4600 block of Governors House Drive. When officers arrived, a female shooting victim was located.
“Two responding HPD officers were shot by an offender at the scene,” according to a statement released by the department. “The officers were transported to Huntsville Hospital with life-threatening-injuries.”
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said one of the officers died at the hospital.
“Tonight, our State grieves the death of another member of the law enforcement community—one who, when called upon, ran toward danger in aide of a female victim,” said Marshall. “Huntsville Police Officer Garrett Crumby and fellow Officer Albert Morin were responding to an emergency domestic violence call for service when they were ambushed by an armed suspect. The suspect had already shot and injured a female victim who was present on the scene.
“Both officers were transported by ambulance to Huntsville Hospital where they received emergency treatment. Officer Morin is now out of surgery and remains in critical condition, while Officer Crumby did not survive his injuries.”
Police said the offender barricaded himself inside an apartment at the scene. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded and assisted Huntsville Police. The offender was apprehended about 6:20 p.m. and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“This is a devastating loss for the our department, the Huntsville community and the State of Alabama,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family as they mourn their loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice. As we grieve with our fallen officer’s family, we have another officer fighting for his life. Please keep all our officers and the entire department in your prayers.”
The female shooting victim was transported to the hospital where she is receiving treatment.
“This is a painful night for the City of Huntsville and for our police family,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “We are heartbroken. Words cannot express our loss. We have been overwhelmed by the show of love and support from our community, and we stand united with our police officers and their families in this tragic moment.”
The deceased HPD officer will be transported by Madison County Coroner Dr. Tyler Berryhill on Tuesday night to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville. An autopsy will be performed Wednesday morning.
The Huntsville Police Department would like to thank the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Madison Police Department for assistance answering calls in the City of Huntsville while HPD officers grieve this tragic loss.
Huntsville Police has requested the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) lead the investigation. Any further questions about the investigation should be directed to SBI.
“Our part of the country has been reminded again this week of the pure heroism of those who make up the thin blue line—the dividing line, at times, between life and death for the citizens that they swear an oath to protect,” Marshall said. “These two law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence call this evening, knowing full well that they would be placing their lives on the line in defense of their fellow man. We must never take their service and sacrifice for granted.”
According to Marshall’s office, Officer Crumby was a three-year veteran of the Huntsville Police Department. He previously served for eight years with the Tuscaloosa Police Department. He is the first Alabama police officer to fall to gunfire this year, but the third to be shot in the line of duty.