The law enforcement community is mourning the loss of one of its own after a tragic incident in Fultondale Thursday.
Elmore County Sheriff’s Office deputy Stephen Earl Sims, II shot and killed himself during a training event at the Fultondale Event Center, police said.
Sims, 43, of Deatsville, was part of a large group of trainees from across the state.
“An outside group has been conducting training all week at the Fultondale Event Center,” Fultondale Police said in a statement. “Law enforcement from all over the state has been attending. Sadly, it appears that a Deputy from another county committed suicide in the parking lot of the Fultondale Event Center today. We are praying for the family and friends of this Deputy.”
Center Point Fire District Battalion Chief Chris Horn said multiple agencies responded to the incident.
“Please keep them, the first responders over there, especially the fire, in your prayers,” Horn said during a city of Pinson council meeting Thursday. “They had an incident this afternoon. They had a training accident that happened, from a police officer that was from out of town that shot himself of the parking lot of the drill and those guys were the first ones there.”
The shooting happened at 12:48 p.m., and Sims was pronounced dead at 1:08 p.m.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said a postmortem examination was being performed Friday to officially determine the manner of death.
The Fultondale Police Department is investigating.
Law enforcement officers are 54% more likely to commit suicide than those in the civilian population, according to a study by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).
The Alabama Department of Public Health offers the 988 crisis line. Anyone feeling vulnerable or suicidal can call the number and be connected with needed resources.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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