DOTHAN: 09:00 AM Houston County Sheriff Deputies have been doing evictions this morning. One of the places Houston County Sheriff Deputies were conducting an eviction was in the 600 block of Chapelwood Drive in Dothan.
Houston County Sheriff Deputies called for additional deputies and backed off the immediate eviction, however had Deputies still in place awaiting back up deputies to arrive on the scene.
Houston County Sheriff Deputies began activating the SWAT Unit.
At 09:33 AM Houston County Sheriff Deputies called for Dothan Fire Department that they felt the barricaded suspect had set the house on fire. Dothan Fire Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ) and other Dothan Fire units and Pilcher Ambulance responded. Dothan Police also responded.
On arrival of Dothan Fire Engine Company they reported smoke visible followed shortly thereafter flames visible. That was followed by reports two shots were fired and later that shots were fired from the window of the house.
Dothan Fire Department, assisted and protected by law enforcement, were in an attempted offensive position on the fire and a defensive position on the fire.
After a short brief period the person inside the house is reported to have taken his life. Once confirmed by law enforcement and law enforcement declared the scene safe Dothan Fire Department began an offensive attack to get the fire under control.
This was a Houston County Sheriff Department call and Dothan Police Department had not been requested and Dothan Police response was when Dothan Fire was dispatched. Once determined suspect had taken his life and fire department could make entry, the emergency was downgraded. Dothan Police have remained on the scene with Dothan Fire Department but this is a Houston County Sheriff Department call. Dothan Police will remain on the scene with Dothan Fire Department and if requested assist the Sheriff Department.
A lot of people, even some who have run for Sheriff, never realized the responsibilities of a Sheriff in addition to law enforcement. The Sheriff Department serve civil process for courts, conduct evictions, sieze property on judgments from the court. The Sheriff is the keeper of the county jail, which is running 100 over capacity, daily, The Sheriff has to be guardian for those deemed unable to mentally unable to manage their affairs or no family. The Sheriff has to make decisions on end of life on some of those responsible for guardianship.
The Sheriff has more responsibility than just law enforcement.
UPDATED @ 4:50 PM
PRESS RELEASE – HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
On November 7, 2025 The Houston County Sheriff’s Office responded to 607 Chapelwood Drive in effort to serve an eviction. Upon our arrival, contact was made with David Lee Smith at the front door. Immediately upon Mr. Smith observing our deputies, he slammed the door shut and barricaded the front door.
Additional personnel arrived on scene quickly and attempted to call him out. Deputies on scene observed smoke coming from the residence. Dothan Fire was requested and responded accordingly.
In a very short period of time after smoke was observed, our deputies heard a gunshot come from within the residence. Once we were able to gain entry into the residence Mr. Smith was located and determined to be deceased.
Once the scene was considered safe, Dothan Fire began their efforts to extinguish the fire. Investigators with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office responded. As a result of our preliminary investigation, it was evident that once Mr. Smith had barricaded himself inside the residence he started multiple fires throughout the structure. He worked his way to the front of the residence, entered a room that was not on fire, and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The body will be sent to the ADFS Medical Examiner’s Office for an Autopsy.
Mr. Smith had recently been divorced and throughout that process was not awarded the house. He continued to stay at the residence even after the Judge’s order.
DOTHAN: 3:38 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Police, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance to a vehicle verses pedestrian accident. The accident location is 300 East Stough Street.
Reports are the pedestrian is complaining of nack and leg pain.
When law enforcement arrived they reported this was not a vehicle verses pedestrian accdient. Dothan Police changed the call to a medical emergency.
DOTHAN: 12:40 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a motor vehicle accident with injuries at East Lafayette and Third Avenue. Dothan Fire, Dothan Police and Pilcher Ambulance responded.
On arrival at the scene Dothan Fire reported heavy damage. Dothan Fire also called for Dothan Utilities because a utility pole was involved.
After Dothan Fire checked the persons involved in the accident it was determined that no one was injured. Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance returning to service.
There were two vehicles involved. Dothan Police investigating the accident.
DOTHAN: 7:18 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Police, Dothan Fire Engine 1 ( Central ) and Pilcher Ambulance to a firearm assault. The location is 608 South College Street.
On arrival they found a 20 year old black male with three gunshot wounds. One is to the arm, shoulder and chest.
7:30 PM Dothan Fire Paramedics and Pilcher Ambulane is transporting the firearm assault victim to Southeasy Health, emergency, under a trauma alert.
Dothan Police Patrol has requested Criminal Investigation Division and Crime Scene Investigators. A suspect has been identified and BOLO issued.
Dothan Police is in charge of the investigation.
UPDATED @ 7:45 PM
Dothan Police identified suspect, went to where past history showed suspect to be, and has suspect in custody enroute to Dothan Police headquarters. In just 27 minutes from call hitting Dothan 911 until Dothan Police have suspect in custody. And suspect was not on the scene. Dothan Police Patrol and the 911 Center used their data base information and good police work.
TAYLOR: On Tuesday the new Taylor Mayor and City Council met. The first order of business was Former Taylor Police Chief James Brazier appeal of his termination by the Mayor in less than 45 minutes from taking the oath of office.
Former Taylor Police Chief James Brazier appeared before the City Council and said had no comments until his attorney was present. The appeal is continued until the next regular City Council Meeting.
For 8 year Billy Snell served as Mayor of the City of Taylor. A lot of progress was made and improvements during the 8 years of service under Mayor Billy Snell. Deciding not to seek re-election, Ordinance Complaince Officer Robert Lamb was elected Mayor.
It has been rumored for several weeks that Lamb was going to terminate Taylor Police Chief James Brazier. In fact Lamb is reported to have attempted to get then Mayor Billy Snell to terminate Brazier but he refused saying that Brazier was doing a good job. The rumors were also going around that Robert Lamb was going to have former Taylor Police Officer Tim Miller as Police Chief.
On Monday, November 3, at 8:00 AM, with former Taylor Police Officer Tim Miller present to watch, Robert Lamb took the oath of office as Mayor. By 8:45 AM Brazier was termiated and walking from the police department building. Miller remained in City Hall until after 10:35 AM.
On Monday evening the new Mayor and City Council met. There was extensive discussion, out of the public eye, in the actions of the new Mayor, Robert Lamb. The new council was reported to be very upset with the actions of the Mayor, and his being informed that he had overstepped his authority. The new council is very upset that Mayor Robert Lamb’s actions has subjected the City of Taylor to a potential lawsuit. Reports are that Lamb said that he felt he had been given some bad advise.
According to some in the legal field, they say that Lamb has potentially exposed himself in his official capacity as Mayor and his personal capacity as an individual exposed himself to civil liability. And some in the legal field said that exposure could potentially reach to Mayor Robert Lamb’s personal assets based on his actions and comments made prior to taking office. The rumors about Lamb’s intentions floated for about a month before he took office and his personal dislike for former Police Chief James Brazier. Mayor Robert Lamb did not ask the City Council or inform them of his intentions prior to his terminating Brazier and having him leave walking home.
In other business, there was a vacancy on the Taylor City Council. Mayor Lamb and the members of the City Council appointed Brandon Martin to the vacancy. Except for Councilman John Milner IV because he was absent from the meeting.
The City Council re-appointed Teresa Adams as City Clerk. Adams is retiring and made it clear appointment was temporary until she got finished training the new City Clerk. The City Council re-appointed Ann Baxter as Magistrate for the City of Taylor.
There was no mention on re-appointment of court officials such as Municipal Court Judge, prosecutor, defense counsel and City Attorney. Currently Attorney Farrest Taylor is Municipal Judge, which is expected to be re-appointed. Gary Maxwell is prosecutor and Denny Holloway is public defender.
There was no one appointed as Acting Police Chief for the City of Taylor. So apparently no one is in charge of the Police Department since the termination of James Brazier as Police Chief.
The council elected Kenny Thompson as Mayor Pro Tempore. Thompson has served several terms as a City Council Member for Taylor.
DOTHAN: On Tuesday Dothan City Manager Randy Morris made a recomendation to Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba and the Associate Commissioners for Dothan Fire Chief following the December 31, 2025 retirement of Larry Williams. In a unanimous vote, David Hasty was appointed to become Dothan Fire Chief on January 1, 2026.
After two years as a patrolman with Dothan Police Department, David Hasty followed his dad’s footsteps in becoming a fireman. In 1999 David Hasty moved from Dothan Police Department to Dothan Fire Department. David Hasty’s dad, Halcot Hasty, retired as a Captain with Dothan Fire Department several years ago.
Beginning as a firefighter, David Hasty worked his way through the ranks from firefighter, to Sergant, then to Captain.From Captain, Hasty was promoted to Battalion Chief. In 2022 Hasty was promoted to Deputy Chief in charge of Operations and currently serves in that capacity.
Dothan Fire Department rank structure is Fire Chief, which is Larry Williams, three Deputy Fire Chief who are Chris Etheridge, David Hasty and Pete Webb. Dothan Fire Department has two Battalion Chief’s each day which commands all 9 Dothan Fire Stations. At each fire station there is a Captain which is in charge of the station, crew – normally of four to include the Captain, Sergeant, Paramedic/Firefighter and Firefighter. There is estimated 205 employees in the Dothan Fire Department and 9 Dothan Fire Stations. Dothan Fire Department has the best ISO rating, which is a 1, that gives home and business owners better insurance premiums. ISO ratings of 1 really affect commercial buildings in a very positive way.
David Hasty is married to Mitzi McClendon Hasty. They have one son, Dylan and one daughter, the late Morgan Hasty. They attend Memphis Baptist Church where David Hasty has served several tenures as a Deacon and former Chairman of the Deacons. When the church doors are open, normally the Hasty family is there with Mitzi in the choir and David on the left side of the worship center. Mitzi has a beautiful voice and often times sings praise specials. But no one has never been able to get David to sing a special, which is probably a positive thing!!!!
David served 26 years in the Air National Guard retiring in 2015 as Chief Master Sergeant.
David and Mitzi Hasty are the real thing. They are fine Christian examples and walk the walk in life. They have faced one of the toughest battles parents could face and their faith never waivered at all. The Hasty family’s life and testimony has served as monomental examples of steadfast faith to all who know them.
It was 19 years ago, on November 7, that Larry Williams was appointed as Dothan Fire Chief. Each year when the National Peanut Festival comes to town it is a reminder of when Williams was appointed Dothan Fire Chief. Now, while the National Peanut Festival is in town, on November 4, David Hasty was appointed as Dothan Fire Chief. Just an interesting thing, 19 years apart during the National Peanut Festival.
All three Dothan Fire Deputy Chief’s, Chris Etheredge, David Hasty and Pete Webb applied for and were interviewed for Dothan Fire Chief. Dothan City Manager Randy Morris could not have gone wrong with any of the three.
