HUNTSVILLE-On Tuesday, March 28 two Huntsville Police Officers were fired upon. The officers were taken to the hospital where one died from his injuries and another underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition.
Officers responded to a “shots Fired” call around 4:45PM at the Governor House Apartment Cpmplex on Governors Drive. Arriving on scene officers found a female victim who had been injured. This victim was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At this time officers took fire and were injured at the scene after which they were taken to the hospital where Officer Crumby succumbed to his injuries.
Police said the officers were shot by an “offender” during the initial part of the call. The suspect, who was also injured, was taken into custody then taken to Huntsville Hospital.
Law barricaded himself in the apartment where he shot the officers. Authorities describe the incident as an ambush.
Around 6:20Pm on Tuesday Alabama Law Enforcement Officers arrested and charged Juan Robert Law, 24 with capital murder of a law enforcement officer . He has been booked into the Madison County Jail.
Juan Robert Laws
The fallen Officer has been identified as Garrett Crumby by Attorney General Steve Marshall. The name of the other injured officer has yet to be released.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has taken the lead on this investigation per request of the Huntsville Police Department.
News release from Huntsville Police Department:
A Huntsville Police Department (HPD) officer died in the line of duty and another suffered life-threatening injuries Tuesday following a shooting in the 4600 block of Governors House Drive.
One officer succumbed to his injuries at Huntsville Hospital. The second officer underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition. Their identities are not being released at this time.
“This is a devastating loss for the our department, the Huntsville community and the State of Alabama,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family as they mourn their loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice. As we grieve with our fallen officer’s family, we have another officer fighting for his life. Please keep all our officers and the entire department in your prayers.”
The offender and the female shooting victim are at the hospital receiving treatment.
“This is a painful night for the City of Huntsville and for our police family,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “We are heartbroken. Words cannot express our loss. We have been overwhelmed by the show of love and support from our community, and we stand united with our police officers and their families in this tragic moment.”
The deceased HPD officer will be transported by Madison County Coroner Dr. Tyler Berryhill on Tuesday night to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville. An autopsy will be performed Wednesday morning.
The Huntsville Police Department would like to thank the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Madison Police Department for assistance answering calls in the City of Huntsville while HPD officers grieve this tragic loss.
Huntsville Police has requested the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) lead the investigation. Any further questions about the investigation should be directed to SBI.
Attorney General Steve Marshall has released the following statement concerning the line-of-duty death of Huntsville Police Officer Garrett Crumby.
“Tonight, our State grieves the death of another member of the law enforcement community—one who, when called upon, ran toward danger in aide of a female victim and her two small children,” said Attorney General Steve Marshall.
“Huntsville Police Officer Garrett Crumby and fellow Officer Albert Morin were responding to an emergency domestic violence call for service when they were ambushed by an armed suspect. The suspect had already shot and injured a female victim who was present on the scene.
“Both officers were transported by ambulance to Huntsville Hospital where they received emergency treatment. Though Officer Morin is now out of surgery and recovering at the hospital, Officer Crumby did not survive his injuries.
“Our part of the country has been reminded again this week of the pure heroism of those who make up the thin blue line—the dividing line, at times, between life and death for the citizens that they swear an oath to protect. These two law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence call this evening, knowing full well that they would be placing their lives on the line in defense of their fellow man. We must never take their service and sacrifice for granted.”
“Officer Crumby was a three-year veteran of the Huntsville Police Department. He previously served for eight years with the Tuscaloosa Police Department. He is the first Alabama police officer to fall to gunfire this year, but the third to be shot in the line of duty. “
