Latest news with #BirminghamPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mack and Stisher take charge of Decatur Police Department
Jun. 14—Growing up in Birmingham, new Decatur Police Chief Torry Mack and incoming Deputy Chief Eric Stisher were inspired by police officers who served their communities — and after two decades of doing the same, they find themselves in Decatur, eager to continue that mission. "That's the route; that's the foundation right there," Mack said on Friday. Mack was sworn in as the city's new chief June 2 and Stisher will begin his role Monday. But before these men made the decision to serve their local communities, they served their nation. Both enlisted in the U.S. Army at a young age and first met each other while they were stationed at Giessen, Germany, in the same unit. "I was field artillery and he was communications, but we were in the same battalion back in 1989," Mack said. Both men fought in the Gulf War. Mack, 55, served in the U.S. Army for 21 years and achieved the rank of master sergeant. He received the Kuwait Liberation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. "I just enjoy helping — I did it on a national level in the military," Mack said. "Once I got off active duty, I needed a job. It was going to be in public safety — firefighter or police, whoever called first. Police called first, and I hit the ground running." Stisher, 54, said after he completed his active-duty obligations in the military, he continued serving in the Army Reserves for 24 years and retired as a 1st sergeant. He said by serving in the military and as a police officer, he has accomplished both of his career goals. "Twenty-seven years of military and four combat tours and 27 and a half years with the police department," Stisher said. Mack on March 30 retired as a captain with the Birmingham Police Department after 30 years, where he most recently served as division manager of Special Operations overseeing tactical units such as SWAT, K-9, explosives, snipers and the Crime Suppression Unit, as well as specialized teams focused on enforcement, intelligence, crime reduction and reconnaissance. Stisher retired this year as a lieutenant with the same department, having started his law enforcement career as a corrections officer in 1995 before becoming a police officer in 1997. During their time in Birmingham, Mack and Stisher worked with youth to introduce them to law enforcement and spur interest in potential careers. Instilling a vision of positive policing in the minds of young people is something Mack believes will lead them to become officers one day. He looks forward to Decatur's Explorer program that is scheduled to kick off Monday. It's aimed at educating teenagers who are interested in law enforcement careers, and he lauded the success of the same program in Birmingham. "You wouldn't believe how many participated in our Explorer program that are now sworn officers," Mack said. "That's a good pipeline to a good job." Just as he was preparing to retire after a 30-year law enforcement career, Mack said a friend in Decatur contacted him about the open police chief position left vacant by former Chief Todd Pinion in March, following a third-party review of the Police Department. "I had no idea what was going on in Decatur and I had a friend tell me I should apply," Mack said. "He mentioned some issues that were going on and I was like, 'Why would I want to apply for that?'" In the early morning hours of Sept. 29, 2023, 39-year-old Steve Perkins was shot and killed in his front yard on Ryan Drive Southwest by former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette during a botched attempt to repossess Perkins' truck. Since then, local grassroots organizations like Standing in Power and numerous individuals supporting the Perkins' family have led demonstrations demanding accountability from the Police Department. The Police Department came under scrutiny again April 15 when Decatur resident John Scott Jr., 41, was arrested by police while experiencing an apparent mental health crisis. Scott resisted officers and was tased twice and wrestled to the ground and taken into custody. After an hour in the Morgan County Jail, Scott suffered a medical episode and was taken to Decatur Morgan Hospital and later to Huntsville Hospital where he died a week later. Mack said his friend kept pushing him to apply for the job and he finally did. After watching news reports about Decatur, Mack said he knew he made the right choice. "I said, 'OK, maybe I could be the change agent that is needed,'" Mack said. "I heard about the Perkins incident and other things. The third-party review said it was lacking communication and lacking leadership. I thought that I could bridge the gap between the community and police officers. I know I can be that leader to move this department forward." Stisher said he was sitting at home watching TV when he got the call from his long-time colleague to join him in Decatur as his deputy chief. The position was created Monday by the City Council on a 4-0 vote after Mack requested it. "He said he wouldn't do it unless I came with him and I said, 'I hear you.'" Stisher said. "I'm in, because everywhere he has gone as a leader in Birmingham, he's asked me to come with him. We've done great things together in Birmingham." Stisher said after a brief conversation with his wife about the new job, he was quickly back on the phone with Mack to accept the job. "After that, I started paying attention to the City Council meetings and started reading news and pulling up news clips on social media and I felt like we could truly make a change," Stisher said. Mack said both the Perkins and Marquette families are suffering. "Any time a life is taken, it's sad," he said. He said the Perkins family lost a husband, a father and a brother — "That's a sad occasion." As for Marquette, Mack said the former officer has been impacted as well. "He is not the same since this happened," Mack said. "He's not the husband his wife married prior to this incident. There are no winners in this situation. Prayer on both sides will get them through it." Mack said he spoke with Paulette Tennison Sanders on Monday, the mother of Scott. He plans on providing more mental health training for his officers and will work with mental health liaison Kate Anderson on the direction of the training. "We're going to discuss how to enhance what we've got," Mack said. Mack addressed the frustration of people protesting Decatur police and said it all boils down to transparency and communication, something he aims to perfect during his tenure as chief. "Their perception possibly could have been not caring and not hearing from the leaders in the Police Department and not being informed," Mack said. "I think that's what they are upset about. I guess we turned a deaf ear to it." He said he has spoken with the Decatur police command staff and the members of Standing in Power and said both sides yearn for dialogue with one another. He plans to bring both to the table soon to sort things out. "We're not going to discuss the case or anything that happened yesterday," Mack said. "We're going to talk about where we are today and how we can move forward. That's a start. We need to be intentional. If we want to continue to live like this, then let's not talk. But the people that are suffering are the citizens of Decatur. It's no closure for the loved ones on both ends." — or 256-340-2442.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Birmingham police searching for missing 8-year-old
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Police Department announced it is searching for a missing 8-year-old who was last seen Tuesday. Damon Moon Jr. was last seen at Ninth Avenue North and Center Street on Tuesday. He was reportedly last seen with his father going to a park and did not return home. They were last seen in a blue/green 2012 Ford Fusion with its tag reading '1A1BD4T.' Moon was last seen wearing a faded pink/red Alabama team shirt with an elephant on it and gray champion shorts. He is 4-foot-11, weighs around 110 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Interim Birmingham deputy chief of patrol operations appointed
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Police Department's new interim deputy chief of patrol operations was revealed Monday. Cpt. Raymond Cochran has worked for the BPD for 36 years, according to the city. He has been the commander of the narcotics division, crimes against property division, tactical operations division and south and west precincts. Brighton City Councilman Jerome McMullin charged with releasing video of double homicide during active investigation He recently served as the acting deputy chief of patrol operations. Cochran's appointment from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin comes after deputy chief Onree Pruitt retired. Cochran, a Miles College graduate, is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. The city also announced that Edmond Hanks, who was appointed interim assistant chief of police in November, retired Friday. The vacant post will not be filled immediately, according to the city. Michael Pickett has worked as chief of police since April 1 after assuming an interim title in November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Birmingham Police Department searching for missing man
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Police Department is searching for a missing 42-year-old man who they say could be a danger to himself and others. Rodney Lavett was last seen in Gardendale driving a silver Tesla Cybertruck. Police say he is known to carry numerous weapons. Lavett is 5'10' and weighs about 208 pounds. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the BPD at 205-328-9311. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- USA Today
Alabama woman charged with capital murder in connection to death of father of her children
Alabama woman charged with capital murder in connection to death of father of her children An Alabama woman was taken into custody in what police are calling a "domestic-related homicide" case. According to the Birmingham Police Department, 30-year-old Shatice Jackson was charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Mickese Bostic, who was killed on April 20. Witnesses told police that Jackson ran over Bostic, "causing the vehicle to collide with him and his neighbor's house," the press release stated. WBRC and WBMA reported that Bostic, 27, was between the car and the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect and victim have children together, and police believe one was present when the incident unfolded. Crime: Oklahoma man faces charges in connection with deadly dog-fighting camp Jackson and Bostic reportedly got into a verbal dispute According to the reports, Bostic had an Easter Sunday party at his house, where he and Jackson got into an argument. She left but later returned and allegedly committed the crime. Police said she was arrested and booked in the local jail on no bond. Local news reported that she appeared in court on April 23 but was given a new date to allow her attorney to file a notice of appearance. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
