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.
TROY: A Saturday night shooting-A Troy police officer shot a man following a pursuit in Pike County on Saturday night.
Troy Police Officers attempted to pull over a vehicle traveling on U.S. Highway 29, just north of Troy. The person “in front of” the blue lights made the decision not to stop and not the person “under the blue lights”, and a chase was initiated. The chase was terminated on Highway 130..
A short time later, police located the suspect, 29-year-old Justin Cook, at a residence in the 2000 Block of Pike County 6629, per police.
Officers say when they tried to approach Cook, he pulled out a firearm and began shooting at them
An officer returned fire, injuring Cook, who was taken Troy Medical. The injuries to the suspect are reported to be non life threatening.
ALEA – State Bureau of Investigation was called in to conduct an investigation which is normal procedure in an officer involved shooting.
But in the words of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, you shoot at the law enforcement you are gonna get shot yourself. The only difference is in Polk County you would be able to read the Sunday edition of New York Times through the body of the person who shot or shot at the officer.
So the suspect should count his blessings that he has no life threatening injuries.
KINSEY – HOUSTON COUNTY: On Saturday Kinsey Police and Kinsey Volunteer Fire, joined by Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza held a BBQ fundraiser for Houston County Sheriff Deputy Rob Johnson.
Deputy Rob Johnson is battling cancer. Deputy Johnson was diagnosed in August with malignant sarcoma of the leg, a rare cancer that gets into the tissue. Ity is currently on Johnson’s nerve sheet which makes it difficult to treat. Just one medicine, after insurance, the co-pay is $ 700.00.
Kinsey Police Chief Jim Mock and Cpl. Morgan, along with Kinsey Volunteer Fire set off for a fundraiser to help their brother in blue, Deputy Rob Johnson. Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza joined in with Kinsey.
Following working all day Saturday the fundraiser, the group taveled to Southeast Health where Deputy Johnson is and presented him with a banner signed by all who bought plates and was a the fundraiser, along with a letter someone wanted to present to him, which they did not read. The group presented Deputy Johnson $ 6,004.00 raised in the fundraiser.
Deputy Johnson’s Lieutenant, James Lee and wife Monica have been at the hospital supporting Deputy Johnson.
Kinsey Police Chief Jim Mock, his wife Amy, Kinsey Police Corporal Morgan, Kinsey City Councilman Wayne Nowlin, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, Attorney Rebecca McCorkel, Chis Love – Candidate D2 Houston County Commissioner traveled to Southeast Health and presented the banner, letter and funds raised.
Assisting with the fundraiser, former D2 Houston County Commissioner Doug Sinquefield, Dothan Fire/Headland Fire Ethan Wilkerson, Sysco, Little Debbie, Coca-Cola, SOWEGA Meat in Headland, L & M Signs and Graphics on West Main Street, DSI Security ( The Alan, Marty, Boyd and Devears Clark – Alan’s dad was the Houston County Sheriff years ago ), Ferguson Wrecker Service, and other volunteers who helped.
Chris Love and wife Rebecca worked all day with the cooking and serving.
Deputy Rob Johnson is assigned the security detail at Houston County Courthouse. Alway a pleasant attitude and personality who liked to joke and interact with people who came to the courthouse.
HOUSTON COUNTY – WEBB: 07:54 AM Houston County 911 dispatched emergency units to Ludlum Road off Glen Lawrence Road at Webb to a single vehicle accident. The vehicle was reported to be in a field.
Houston County Sheriff Department, Ashford Rescue, Webb Volunteer Fire and ALEA – Trooper Spencer Adkinson responded.
Reports are critical injuries with possible ejection. The vehicle appeared to have overturned in the field
UPDATED @ 10:36 AM
The single vehicle accident claimed one life this morning. The driver was ejected from the wreckage. The driver, a female, was pronounced dead on the scene by Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd.
Next of kin has been notified by ALEA Troopers. RSN is holding name until all family notified.
Accident investigated by ALEA Trooper Spencer Adkinson and Cpl. Phillips.
UPDATED @ 12:50 PM
The victim in this morning’s accident is identified as 21 year old Ashton Jacobs. She lived in Ashford, worked at Southeast Health and reported to have one child.
KINSEY – DOTHAN: Today in Kinsey the BBQ fundraiser for Houston County Sheriff Deputy Rob Johnson … BBQ plates will begin to be on sale at 12 noon. At the Kinsey Volunteer Fire Department, 6188 Walden Drive, Kinsey. Hours are 12PM to 4 PM.
Deputy Johnson has been diagnosed with a rare cancer. He had to be transported back to the hospital this week. It is an aggressive cancer. Deputy Johnson is assigned to the Houston County Courthouse Security detail. He is very pleasant, polite and helpful to those coming and going to the courthouse.
In Dothan at 431 Produce Stand, BBQ sale fundraiser for Lisa Langley Cancer Battle. On Highway 431 just outside Ross Clark Circle on the right. Go see Brandon Brock and others and help out these two battling cancer.
ORANGE BEACH AL: Last week was the Alabama EMS conference. Dothan Fire – Rescue was presented with an award.
We had an incredible time at the Alabama EMS Conference last week, an event filled with learning, collaboration, and the shared mission of serving our communities with excellence.
One of the highlights of the conference was being honored with the EMS Service Award. This recognition reflects the dedication, professionalism, and heart our team brings to the job every single day. From training and response to compassion and patient care, our crews consistently set the standard for what exceptional service looks like.
Proud of our department, proud of our people, and proud to represent a community that supports its first responders so well.
