FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2019
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Attorney General Steve Marshall Holds 20th Annual Statewide Law Enforcement Summit
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today hosted approximately 900 law enforcement officials who registered from all over the state of Alabama for the 20th annual Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Summit. The 2019 summit offered a day of instruction in ongoing and new challenges facing police officers, sheriff’s offices and State law enforcement officials.
Attorney General Marshall opened the summit with a moment of silence in memory of Tuscaloosa Police Officer Dornell Cousette, who was killed in the line of duty on Monday while serving a warrant. The Attorney General welcomed law enforcement officers in attendance, thanking them for their service and sacrifice to ensure the public’s safety.
“After serving as your attorney general for nearly three years, I am filled with gratitude as I stand in support of the men and women who uphold the law and protect our communities. I am thankful for the invaluable assistance we have received from law enforcement across Alabama. The outstanding teamwork exhibited on all levels of law enforcement continues to make a positive difference for the people of this great state.”
This year’s summit featured a morning presentation about human trafficking from Kylla Lanier, Deputy Director of Truckers Against Trafficking. In the afternoon, Captain Don Jones of the Knoxville, Tennessee, Police Department provided training on preparing and planning for civil unrest.
A somber highlight of the day came with the commemoration of fallen officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during the past year. Attorney General Marshall and Chief Deputy Attorney General Clay Crenshaw recognized the sacrifices of the following officers killed earlier this year with the presentation of certificates of honor*:
Sergeant WyTasha Lamar Carter of the Birmingham Police Department was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to arrest two men who were breaking into vehicles at a bar in the early morning hours of January 13, 2019. Sergeant Carter was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He had served with the Birmingham Police Department for eight years, and previously served with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Leeds Police Department and Fairfield Police Department. He is survived by his wife and children.
Officer Sean Paul Tuder of the Mobile Police Department was shot and killed as he and several other officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant at an apartment complex on the
afternoon of January 20, 2019. He had served with the Mobile Police Department for three years and had previously been recognized as Officer of the Month. He also was a member
of the Alabama National Guard. Officer Tudor is survived by his wife.
Officer William Ray Buechner Jr. of the Auburn Police Department was shot and killed on the evening of May 19, 2019, as he and two other officers responded to a domestic disturbance. He had served with the Auburn Police Department for 13 years Officer Buechner is survived by his wife, son and step-daughter.
Deputy Julius Jamal “Jay” Dailey of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a burglary in process near midnight on June 11, 2019. He had served with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for two years, and previously with the Alabama Department of Corrections, the Thomasville Police Department and the Pine Hill Police Department. He is survived by his daughter.
K9 Jake, a police dog who served the Alabama Department of Corrections, died on July 20, 2019, after being exposed to a substance believed to be the synthetic cannabinoid Fluoro
ADB while performing a narcotics detection assignment at the Staton Correctional Facility. He is survived by his handler.
“This has been a particularly difficult year for those sworn to preserve the peace, and these violent deaths are a somber reminder of the dangers that our law enforcement officers face
every day with courage and dedication,” said Attorney General Marshall. “We pause to remember these officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for public safety. Let us all be encouraged as we remember and honor their legacy of commitment and devotion to serve and protect the public.”
The 2019 Attorney General Law Enforcement Summit was held at Church of the Highlands in Montgomery.
*A certificate of honor for Officer Dornell Cousette will be presented at next year’s law enforcement summit.
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