The Priceville City Council has removed the city's police chief, Jerry Holmes, following a deadly police pursuit in September initiated by a Priceville Police officer. The council also moved to appoint Sgt. Jason Wigginton as the department's new chief.
Holmes issued a statement following the vote to remove him.
"I would like to express my gratitude to Mayor Sam Heflin for the privilege of leading the department since May 2022," Holmes said. "I sincerely appreciate the dedication and hard work of each officer, whose efforts contribute daily to ensuring that Priceville remains a safe and welcoming community."
"Congratulations to Chief Wigginton; I wish him continued success in his new role," he added.
Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin was the sole member of the council to vote against removing Holmes. Helfin argued that Holmes had "never been reprimanded, never been in trouble," while serving as chief, making his removal somewhat "shocking."
Councilman Mevlin Duran III explained the decision to remove Holmes.
"You can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again," he stated. "We’ve had numerous police accidents and chases. High-speed chases going into the other cities."
Rachel Moore, mother to a teenager killed in the deadly police pursuit, is now suing the City of Priceville, Priceville Police Department officer Garry Chapman and the driver responsible for striking the vehicle her child was in.
The fatal wreck at the center of the legal action occurred on the night of September 6, when Chapman attempted to pull Archie Hale over for moving violations and suspicion of DUI, when Hale fled, eventually striking the vehicle occupied by Hollis and six others. According to authorities, the incident began on Alabama Highway 36 around 8:30 p.m. and ended with the wreck at the intersection of Highway 31 and 36.
Chapman was fired initially for his role in the fatal pursuit, but the Priceville City Council unanimously voted to reinstate him.
RELATED: Priceville City Council unanimously reverses firing of officer involved in fatal police pursuit
Also of note, Councilman Tommy Perry has announced his retirement from the council after nearly 40 years in office.
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