WEBB – HOUSTON COUNTY: In order to understand the initial chaos of this call one must understand how 911 is set up and how agencies radio systems are set up. While the City of Dothan – Houston County Communications Center ( 911 ) was constructed as a “joint” communications center, it ain’t joint! It is co-located.
Dothan Police answer 911 calls and Houston County Sheriff Department answers 911 calls. There is a wall between the Dothan Police Communications Center and Houston County Sheriff Communications Center. Dothan Police has more staff in the 911 center then the Sheriff Department. Depending on how many are on duty in the Sheriff Communications depends on how many 911 lines they can answer. When the 911 lines ring they roll over to the other communications center if not answered. The information is put into the CAD ( Computer Aided Dispatch ) for the agency responsible.
Dothan Police 911 answers and dispatches Dothan Police, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance. Houston County Sheriff 911 dispatches Houston County Sheriff Deputies, Kinsey, Webb, Columbia, Gordon, Ashford, Cottonwood and Taylor Police, all 17 Houston County Volunteer Fire, all 5 Houston County EMS, Headland EMS when they answer calls in Kinsey, and Pilcher Ambulance when they answer calls outside the City of Dothan.
ALEA – Troopers have their own dispatcher who handles ALEA Troopers.
None of the above is critical of any entity, but a mere explanation of how things work.
THE WEBB CALL
NOW…. around 11:00 AM, following the death notification of family from the Ludlam Road traffic death, the ALEA Trooper pulled into Express It in Webb. As the Trooper stopped. but was still in the car, a white SUV came flying into the parking lot and a male subject exited running towards the ALEA Trooper with arms in the air yelling. The Trooper immediately exited the vehicle and stopped the person attempting to see what was going on. The ALEA Trooper notified ALEA Dispatch to send Houston County Sheriff Department. About the same time 911 calls began hitting Houston County and Dothan 911 about a incident at a church east of Webb. The Trooper had placed the man in handcuffs for protection while attempting to see what was going on.
The initial call dispatched was, disorderly at the church on Highway 52 east of Ludlum Road. This is the old Poplar Springs Church which is another name. There was an off duty law enforcement officer at the church. The call then went to person left the church building to get a firearm from his vehicle. The call then went to active shooter at the church. The call then went to ALEA Trooper at Express It and was assaulted. The call then went to the ALEA Trooper was at Express It “with” the assault victim, and there was no active shooter or shooting and no assault of the ALEA Trooper.
Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeff Carlisle was the first one to the ALEA Trooper at Express It. Chief Carlisle confirmed the ALEA Trooper was ok and with the assault victim. Other deputies responded to the church. All was calm and there was never a weapon displayed, shots fired.
The person at Express It had injuries to the face and then had a seizure. Pilcher Ambulance was dispatched to the scene. The person was unhandcuffed as the story developed.
It seems the man was speaking and the pastor is reported to have told him his time was up. The pastor had to take him by the arm and he was escorted from the church building. Outside the church, and not by the pastor or off duty officer, the man received injuries to his face. The man is reported to have some behavioral issues.
The first trip of Pilcher Ambulance responding the subject was not transported. Houston County Criminal Investigation Division responded. The man had a second seizure and Pilcher Ambulance had to respond a second time and the man was then transported.
No criminal charges have been filed.
But as you can see from the multiple reports and different agencies getting the calls why a big response in Webb. But when the call “active shooter” was sounded it was mass response and swift response.
