R.I.P. Dexter Hammond

So often we forget what it is we are really asking our law enforcement officers to do. We are asking them to protect each and every one of us, to keep us safe, to keep the peace and to uphold the law.....even if it means that they have to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

In the year 2008, 133 officers lost their lives in the line of duty. As of April 29 2009, 44 have done the same. They are all heroes.

Dexter Hammond is a hero. He was 38 years old when he paid the ultimate price on Friday, April 24, 2009. The 16-year veteran ex-police chief, husband, father, son and friend was laid to rest on April 28, 2009. The event was witnessed by a crowd of over 1,000 people including about 400 police officers.

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"There continue to be men as brave as Dexter Hammond who are willing to step in harms way to make sure we are safe. My prayers go out to his family, may God bless them and console them." said Alabama Attorney General Troy King.

"As I visited with Chrissy and Cody and as I look at this headland police badge, it reminds me of the terrible cost at which our safety comes. We are not safe in this state because of an accident; our safety has been paid for by the blood of heroes like Dexter Hammond"

After the service, officers formed a gauntlet as the flag-draped casket was carried out of the building. A friend on Hammond's Harley Davidson led the procession of more than 200 cars to the graveside at the Memorial Garden Cemetery in Eufaula. His leather vest rested on the motorcycle's Plexiglas shield.

Click here for scenes from the funeral. To read and/or contribute reflections on Dexter Hammond click here. To visit the Officers Down Memorial Page click here.

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Ex-Police Chief Killed in Shootout

Headland Police Officer and Chief Investigator Dexter Hammond was killed with a single shot from a high-power rifle by 53-year-old Fred Davis who also shot and seriously wounded Henry County Sheriff Deputy Ted Yost. Davis himself was shot and killed by responding police officers.

Dexter Hammond was the Midland City police chief for years, just recently leaving the position last November. Read more details on the shootout here.

Ted Yost, who was shot three times in the head and face, remains in Intensive Care at Southeast Alabama Medical Center. Officials fear he may be blind in both eyes.

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No-one knows exactly what caused Fred Davis to go berserk on Friday (4/24/09) but according to neighbors and witnesses, the Granberry Crossroads resident suffered from severe mood swings.

"He just snapped," says Henry County Sheriff Will Maddox referring to Davis. "We have been here numerous times over the year and he always complied with officers. But this time he ambushed the officers."

Gerald Granberry who has lived across County Road 55 from Fred Davis for the past 8 years has a different story to tell. Granberry says Davis was retired as a maintenance worker from Wallace Community College. He says Davis has driven him out of town to the doctor multiple times. He also helped Granberry build a shed outside his home. Granberry and Davis spoke "just about every day."

"He was as good as gold and I will miss him," says Granberry. "I couldn't of had a better neighbor."

However that "good neighbor" wreaked havoc on the lives of two police officers, their families and their friends and shocked an entire community. When the call went out at 4:55 pm on Friday concerning gunshots being fired at 5501 Co. Rd 55, Dexter and his colleagues did not hesitate to respond.

"Usually when you get gunshots or something bad going on, the average person runs the other way," says Chief Jones. "Law enforcement runs to it. And that's Dexter. The shots came out with officer down and he didn't hesitate."

"The city is in shock," adds Mayor of Headland Ray Marler. "We are a close knit family. Dexter was not only a great employee but a good friend."

Dexter Hammond was well-liked by everyone and had a reputation for joking around.

"Everybody loved him, and he was always joking and kidding around," says Chief Jones. "In the office everyone would run from him taking pictures because he would turn them into cartoons up on the wall. That was Dexter. He never had a hard heart for anyone."

Condolences on the death of Dexter Hammond have been pouring in from friends, loved ones and well-wishers. You can read what others are saying and send your own thoughts in this special online tribute by clicking here.

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Officer and Suspect Killed in Shootout

Dexter Hammond, a Headland officer and former Midland City police chief, was fatally shot by 53-year-old Fred Davis outside Davis’ home at 5501 County Road 55 in Headland, Alabama. Davis also shot and seriously wounded deputy Ted Yost who was among several police officers responding to the incident. Davis himself was shot and killed during the shootout.

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An emergency call to the Henry County Sheriff's Department about Davis firing a weapon outside his trailer at Granberry’s Crossroads was received about 4:55 pm Friday (4/24/09). Dexter Hammond responded to the call minutes later. As he approached the trailer he was shot and killed by Davis.

As other officers responded to the scene, Davis continued firing, seriously wounding Ted Yost. He was taken to Southeast Alabama Medical Center where he was said to be  in critical condition as of 10:20 p.m. Friday night, having already been in surgery.

“Several, several officers responded,” Alabama State Troopers Public Information Officer Kevin Cook said. “We are a very tight-knit family. When you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.”

According to Cook, Davis was then killed by “other responding officers.” Law enforcement agencies from around the Wiregrass responded quickly to the scene, including sheriff departments from Houston and Henry counties and police departments from Abbeville, Dothan, Headland and Midland City. It is still unknown why Davis began shooting.

“It’s way too early to determine a motive, if there even was a motive,” Cook said. “We are in the infancy stages of the investigation.”

Dexter Hammond had served as Midland City’s police chief for years until leaving the position last November.