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.