In October 2001, Paul Prine was working as a police officer in Mobile when his life changed forever. While responding to a domestic call, he was shot three times. As he fought for his life, he was sure he was about to lose it. He called out to God and was saved right then and there.
"I realized that I was not where I needed to be with my Savior and of course, I repented and gave my heart to Jesus that night," Prine said.
While he did lose a kidney, his life was spared. Prine said he knew God had a reason for saving him that night, and He saved him in more ways than one.
Fast forward over two decades later, Prine became the Chief of Police for the City of Mobile.
It wasn't long before his faith would be put to the test.
Prine told 1819 News that not long after becoming chief, he realized politics could impact his career. He spoke to his wife about the challenges he was facing and decided to let his faith be his ultimate guide. That choice would lead Prine down a dark path, which led him to where he is today.
But being forced out of his position due to being a "whistleblower," as he says, was something he saw coming months ago. Prine said he was at a church prayer group after a church reached out to him. He said the church prophesied what was to come.
"They pretty much told me this was going to happen," Prine told 1819 News. "But as a part of that prophecy, it also came to light the promise and that was that our good Lord was going to vindicate me and my good name."
Prine was recently placed on administrative leave after a review of policies and procedures by former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown. The report, which has not been made public, suggested Prine told subordinates not long after he became chief not to listen to what he says in the media and to "f**k the public."
Although Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson released the reasoning for the decision to let Prine go, Prine has maintained the allegations are not enough to ignore the reduction in crime and the increase in retention of officers he has seen during his time as chief.
Prine has gone public with his own allegations, saying the real reason he was forced out was because he filed grievances against administrators due to concerns of possible improprieties.
He said he didn't know at the time if there was any wrongdoing but wanted to be sure. So, he filed the grievances, and that's when his own character was attacked.
"Whether it's wrong criminally or ethically, I don't know," Prine said. "But as city leaders, we have to be above the mere appearance of what looks to be wrong and for me, that is key."
Prine was eventually given two options. He could stay on as a "consultant," continue to get paid, receive a hefty severance and sign a non-disclosure/non-disparaging agreement with the city. Or he could turn all of that down, and the city would disclose the information found in the Brown report.
Prine said when it came to turning down a deal where his reputation remained intact, his character and doing the right thing were more important to him.
"Everything I've tried to do is with the understanding of one, my faith, because I don't want to ruin my testimony of my Lord," Prine said. "And I certainly don't want people to have a negative impression of who God is because of something I've said or done."
Prine said he was given the two options and to him, it felt like a threat.
"Now, as much as I value my public image, I think they overplayed my desire to protect my public image over my desire to protect my character and my character doesn't respond to threats, in particular, if I know that I'm right," he said. "Now, that being said, they did offer me a very lucrative settlement, and if I didn't take the settlement, then the second option was completely, 'We're going to just tarnish you and drag you in your name in the mud."
While he knew his family would also be impacted, Prine weighed his options and realized that, at his core, he did not believe in taking a deal because there was no way he could ensure the city would act in good faith. He said he tried to enter into negotiations with the administration, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
"Some people will say, 'Well, you're crazy not to take the deal,' but I had real no real expectation that the administration would have honored that and would have found a way to somehow still disparage me or try to find a way to suggest I I breached the contract or the agreement and then throw me off the payroll," Prine continued.
Prine said the city used something he allegedly said over two years ago to encourage him to leave on his own, but that did not go as planned.
"I think it's indicative of how the administration rules," he said. "They have accused me one of saying something two and a half years ago and that's just the sideshow of all the real issues and it's a distraction from really why we're here. They just use that because they overplayed my public image versus my character and they had no choice but to double down on that particular issue."
"But then it went from that to being an authoritarian," Prine continued. "Then it went to that I don't get along with anybody in the staff and you know, there's been a lot of allegations made as to whether or not I was communicating and all that will come out in time."
Prine said that because of what was prophesized to him, he believed the truth would be revealed.
"I am leaning on that and I want people to know that because for those of faith, if we are saying that we are men and women of faith and we believe what we say we believe, then we have to know the God we serve and we have to follow those precepts of how we're supposed to live our lives," Prine said. "That doesn't mean that we are to be perfect people. We're not, we'll never be perfect but simply doing things that are unethical or even potentially criminal is not living for the Lord."
"I don't judge anyone," he continued. "I just say a lot of times, ultimate power, absolute power corrupts morals. I'm not saying that the administration is there, I'm simply alluding that sometimes we can get caught up with the fame or titles, money or positions and we have to constantly remind ourselves and self-reflect on who God is and who we are to the people."
As a father and head of his household, Prine said he has taught these lessons himself. He has taught his children to be strong in their faith and believes that's how they have gotten through the tough situation of watching public mudslinging against their father. But as strong as they are, he knows hearing negative things about him bothers them. Prine is thankful for community members who have come forward to offer support for his family, including his son's school.
"What has really helped a lot of us is certainly our church family with prayers, the countless hundreds of people that's reached out through text or messages or Facebook posts supporting me," Prine said. "I just want to simply say the public really doesn't know how much that has encouraged me and my family and has brought strength in many regards for me to continue to fight. It's incredible."
When he thinks back on that night he was lying on the ground, seemingly dying, Prine said he knew then God had a purpose for him. After recovering, Prine decided to stick with his career and not go on disability because he wanted more for his family.
He said he doesn't see himself as a hero but just wants to do what God has allowed him to do.
"The good Lord has spared me and seen me through those challenging physical times, emotional times," said Prine. "My faith and my church family got me through those times to repair with prayer and support."
Prine returned to school after the shooting and earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and his graduate degree in criminal justice.
He said he wanted to set himself up for a good retirement so he could always take care of his family. Along with that came his motivation to lead in a career with good merit and ethics. That's what he believes led him to become chief of police and what caused him to lose his job.
"Those things have not been very popular with me and a lot of people over the years," Prine said. "But after realizing that I needed to be saved and I needed a savior, in my experiences and after studying the Word of God, I realized that when we leave this world, I will have to answer for everything that I've done and that is important to me as a man of faith. I think the administration realized early on that I'm just not the guy that's gonna just say, 'yes sir, no sir' and go about my business."
Soon after becoming chief, Prine said he knew it would be difficult for him to complete a full term. He spoke to his family about challenges and reminded himself that he had to let his faith guide him. Through it all, Prine remains humble.
"I don't want the people thinking that I'm on this moral, righteous, high road or mountain and I'm better than everybody," he said. "It's just the opposite. I have had a great life, certainly under the challenges and the physical things that I've been through but everybody goes through things. Mine may have been physical and traumatic, but some people deal with things psychologically or emotionally that are just as traumatic to them as my physical situation was."
Prine said understanding his salvation is understanding his own flaws. He also said his faith has shown him he needs a higher authority.
"So, I have definitely leaned on my faith over the years, not only as a result of my shootings, but raising my family in the House of God and ensuring that they have a good foundation and understanding of faith and how we're to lean on it," he added. "I understand everybody's not going to have the same faith as I, but I do believe that every individual on this earth is who they are because of how they were raised and whether there was faith or religion in the home."
"… There are scientific decisions that we make, and we rationalize those decisions based on knowledge or information we have. But when decisions have to be made that question ethics, morality, or wrongdoing, that's where knowledge, our experiences, and certainly faith or even the lack of faith will determine and dictate how we navigate those challenges in life."
In closing, Prine said he believes as people grow in their faith, they realize that all work should be for the Lord.
"If you know the word of God, you know it simply states that whatever occupation we do we are to do it as if we're doing it for the Lord," he said. "What that simply means for me is that I work for God but also work for the people."
The Mobile City Council will meet Tuesday to consider a resolution to remove Prine from office and hire a third party to investigate Prine's allegations.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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