Former Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson passed away unexpectedly of a heart condition on Wednesday at age 52.
He served Dale County for 28 years.
Olson was interviewed on national television in 2013 after helping rescue a five-year-old boy with autism who was taken hostage in an underground bunker. The child was snatched from a school bus after a Vietnam veteran, angry at the government, shot and killed the bus driver. He took the boy into the bunker and engaged in a days-long standoff with law enforcement. Olson was credited for being part of the negotiation tactics that led to the release of the child.
After he retired in 2023, Olson took a job at Fort Rucker.
“Several of our officers and administration have served shoulder to shoulder with Wally and will be forever grateful for the opportunity to see and feel his passion for service,” the Daleville Department of Public Safety stated.
Olson was known as a beloved husband and father. He was known for sharing encouraging stories about how his faith had helped him through the toughest times.
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