22nd Annual Statewide Law Enforcement Summit offers training, honors the fallen

By Brandon Moseley

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) hosted approximately 850 law enforcement officials for the 22nd annual Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Summit. The annual event at Church of the Highlands Montgomery offered a day of instruction for police officers, sheriff’s offices, and State law enforcement officials.

“I am honored to work with law enforcement officers from throughout our great state, and I am impressed by, and grateful for, your dedication to protect our citizens and enforce the law,” Marshall told those gathered at the summit. “In these troubling times of hostility and disrespect toward law enforcement, I know the people of Alabama join me in thanking you for your service and sacrifice as you risk your lives every day to ensure public safety.”

This year’s event began with a session about the mission of the newly formed Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance. The session was presented by Coordinator Chris Lim and Special Agent Cameron Perry, both from the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Marshall has declared that putting an end to human trafficking in Alabama is one of his top priorities. The alliance creates a partnership with state and federal law enforcement agencies, and nongovernmental groups, forming a united front against human trafficking.

The summit also featured an in-depth presentation on “Leadership for a Lifetime—How the Past Prepares Us for the Future” from internationally renowned speaker and law enforcement instructor, Paul Butler.

Butler is a retired law enforcement officer from South Carolina. He challenged public safety professionals to be their best in serving the public.

“Alabama has among the most dedicated and highly motivated law enforcement professionals in the country, and we want to continue raising the bar of their performance,” said Marshall.

The gathering also remembered those Alabama law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during the past year. Attorney General Marshall recognized the sacrifices of the following fallen officers:

“These are increasingly difficult times for those sworn to preserve the peace, and these deaths are a somber reminder of the dangers that our law enforcement officers face every day with courage and dedication,” said Marshall. “We pause to remember these officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for public safety. Let us all be encouraged as we remember and honor their legacy of commitment and devotion to serve and protect the public.”

Law Enforcement Lives Lost in the Past Year:

Officer Randall Versie Smith, formerly of the Birmingham Police Department, died on Dec. 28, 2020, as the result of complications from an inadvertent gunshot wound suffered when he was rescuing a small child from an armed man in 1995. Smith underwent lengthy surgery and was in a coma for several weeks. The wound left him partially deaf, partially blind and permanently disabled. A U.S. Army veteran, he had served with the Birmingham Police Department for eight years.

Lieutenant Jeff Bain of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office died on Jan. 3 from COVID-19, in a presumed exposure while on duty. A U.S. Army veteran, he had served with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years and was in law enforcement for 30 years. He is survived by his wife, four children, five grandchildren, his parents and two brothers.

Deputy Sheriff William H. Smith of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office died on June 6. Smith gave his life attempting to rescue three distressed swimmers in the Gulf of Mexico. He served with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for seven years, previously serving with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and as a firefighter for 30 years.

Officer Marquis Dewon Moorer of the Selma Police Department was shot and killed in an ambush at his apartment while taking a meal break on July 27. His significant other was also wounded in the attack.

Corrections Officer Maurice “Reese” Jackson of the Robertsdale Police Department died on Aug. 3 from COVID-19, presumed contracted while on duty. He served with the Robertsdale Police Department for four years and is survived by his wife and two children.

Officer Juan Manuel Gomez-Lopez of the Pelham Police Department died on Aug. 14, from COVID-19, presumed contracted in the line of duty. A U.S. Army veteran, he had served with the Pelham Police Department for 11 years and previously with the Albertville Police Department for four years. He was posthumously named the Shelby County Chamber Police Officer of the Year for Pelham. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

Deputy Sheriff Harry “Buddy” Hutchinson of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office died on Aug. 21, as the result of COVID-19, presumed contracted while he was assigned to the Blount County Courthouse. A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, he had served with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Officer Brandon Wyatt Ard of the Orange Beach Police Department died on Aug. 26 from COVID-19, contracted while he was assigned to beach patrol. A U.S. Navy veteran, he had served with the Orange Beach Police Department for 24 years. He is survived by his two daughters.

Investigator Richard Wendell Humphrey of the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office died on Sept. 3 from COVID-19, presumed contracted in the line of duty. With more than 27 years in law enforcement, he had served with the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office for four years and previously with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee, the Foley Police Department and the Bay Minette Police Department. He is survived by his son and daughter, 10 grandchildren, his parents, a brother and two sisters.

Deputy Willie Hall of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office died on Sept. 18, from COVID-19, presumed contracted in the line of duty. A U.S. Army veteran, he served 20 years with the Birmingham Police Department and the past three years with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Sergeant James Nicholas “Nick” Risner of the Sheffield Police Department died on Oct. 2 from gunshot wounds suffered the previous day while blocking a violent offender from entering a Walmart parking lot, giving his life to shield others from harm. A U.S. Army Reserve veteran, he had served with the Sheffield Police Department for eight years.