State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle) calls the recent death of a man convicted of the 1975 murder of two Mobile County deputies "long overdue."
Jerre Chatom, who died in Fountain Correctional Facility last month, was serving two life sentences for the murders of Mobile County deputies David Beck and Robert Stolz in 1975.
During a police pursuit, Chatom and his compatriot opened fire on Mobile County law enforcement, resulting in the deaths of Beck and Stolz.
Chatom's accomplice was killed in the gunfight, and Chatom was captured after crossing a swamp into Mississippi.
"The death of this convicted cop killer finally ends a 48-year nightmare for the families of Deputy Beck and Deputy Stolz and the members of the Mobile County Sheriff's Office," Stringer said. "As a career law enforcement officer, I know that the pain of losing a colleague or loved one in the line of duty does not go away, and while the long overdue death of Jerre Chatom will not bring the deputies back, it does bring a measure of closure to an incident that should have never occurred."
Chatom was denied parole in 2019 and was up for consideration in 2024.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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