DOTHAN: This morning in Dothan Alabama, in the 400 block of Cottonwood Road, a man armed with explosive devices and apparent mental issues caused a stand off. Multiple Dothan Police Officers on the scene, negotiations with the person who was briefly outside and went back inside the house. Dothan Police negotiations with the suspect.
This caused Cottonwood Road to be blocked and traffic re-routed. People evacuated from their homes by Dothan Police Officers. Dothan Prep Academy placed on lockdown as was Southside Baptist Chirch daycare.
After about 30 minutes the suspect was taken into cusotdy. Dothan Police Bomb Squad was on the scene and searched for additional explosive devices.
Dothan Police Chief WIll Benny was on the scene as was 10 or more Dothan Police Patrol Division Officers and Criminail Investigation Division as others.
AS COTTONWOOD ROAD INCIDENT WAS ON GOING
As the Cottonwood Road was on-going the Dothan High School Resource Officer ( old Northview High School on Highway 431 ) comes over the radio that there has been a secuirty breach, a subject came over fence and assistance was needed, Code 3 which is lights and siren. Within minutes more than 30 Dothan Police Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Vice Division, SWAT Officers, had the school wrapped up. More than 30 Dothan Police Officers, Dothan Police Chief Will Benny left Cottonwood Road and rolled to Dothan High School. Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum happened to be in Dothan and responded and assisted.
Dothan High School was wrapped up. Dothan High School camera system was reviewed. It appeared the suspect lef the campus. However Dothan Police maintained their prescence, with high powered guns on shoulders while officers searched the entire schools. Searched classrooms, bathrooms, closets, everywhere on the campus. And if you have not been on the campus of Dothan High School. it is huge. You would be surprised the security devices in place in the schools and the ability they have to lock down the school within seconds.
AS COTTONWOOD ROAD INCIDENT AND DOTHAN HIGH SCHOOL INCIDENT WAS ON GOING
As the Cottonwood Road incident and Dothan High School incident was on going, Dothan 911 dispatched a burglary in progress on North Range Street. Within two minutes of the burglary in progress being dispatched four Dothan Police Patrol units were on the scene. I was on the scene in two minutes and when I arrived four Dothan Police Patrol units were on the scene, two of which were K-9 Officers and saw in my mirror two more Dothan Police Patrol units arriving.
DOTHAN 911 STAFF
The Dothan 911 staff was awesome. Taking emergency calls and getting important information dispatched as needed. Coordinating response and keeping up with data. The men and women in the Dothan 911 did an awesome job.
DOTHAN CITY SCHOOL STAFF
The Dothan CIty School staff assigned to Dothan High School, the Dothan Police School Resource Officers, Dothan Police School Protection Officers, the work of retired Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish who wrote grants and obtained funding for security measures at schools, for the coordination Chief Parrish had with Chief Benny and Dr. Dennis Coe and the school board. And now with retired ALEA Captain Tracy Nelson. All were on top of the situation promplty with coordination.
DOTHAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Citizens of Dothan Alabama, Mayor Mark Saliba, Associate Dothan Commissioners Kevin Dorsey, Aristotle Kirkland, Bradley Bedwell, John Ferguson, Gant Pearce, David Crutchfield, Randy Morris and former Dothan City Manager Kevin Cowper … jobs well done in supporting emergency services, especially Dot.han Police Department. The promptness of response, professional manner in which three emergencies at the same time with major deployment of law enforcement officers.
The command prescence of no nonsense of Dothan Police Chief Will Benny. His selection of an effective command staff, people in the right places of command. The procurement of equipment and technology to handle emergencies. His support of the men and women of the Dothan Police Department, maintaining the officers to do what is right and then strongly standing behind the officers who are right or doing their best to do right. And no tolerance of not doing right or being professional.
Dothan Police Chief Will Benny does not like the public forum of being acknowldeged of the job he has and is doing as Dothan Police Chief. He likes to stay out of the front spot light, just doing what is right, making sure the citizens he serves are protected and the men and women of the Dothan Police Department have a safe job and go home to their families at the end of shift. Chief Will Benny even refused the Dothan City Commission to present him the 30 or 35 year certificate service with Dothan Police Department because he hates being in the front spotlight of look at me.
He will get onto me for pointing out his job performance and bringing spotlight on him.
Dothan Police Chief Will Benny wants the men and women of the Dothan Police Department to be featured and not him He wants to provide the officers with the equipment needed to perform their jobs. When making a decision he tries to evaluate how his decision affects the men and women on the streets on the lowest level within the department. Chief Will Benny does not want to make decisions on the top that negatively impacts the men and women on the lowest level.
TODAY DEMONSTRATED
Dothan Police Department is prepared and trained to handle emergencies. And careful if you try them.
WHEN YOU SEE OFF DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON THEIR PATROL VEHICLES
When you see law enforcement, fire, EMS on their emergency vehicle when off duty. Their driving the vehicle to church, the grocery store, and different places, remember, they are required to have their weapons, badges and equipment and ready to respond in the blink of an eye. When you see them parked in Geneva, Ozark, Abbeville, the rapid deployment of off duty officers when emergencies happen.
Today was an example of why that is. And if you complain, remember, emergecies are not scheduled. And on top of these three law enforcment emergencies, Dothan Fire, Pilcher Ambulance and other Dothan Police Officers were handling other emergency calls, emergency medical calls, wrecks, routine calls all over Dothan. Other routine emergency calls do not stop when major calls are on going.
SO THANK YOU Dothan Mayor, Associate Commissioners, present and past City Manager for supprting the emergency services.
