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Garrett Crumby: Community mourns Alabama cop shot dead while responding to domestic violence complaint

Garrett Crumby's partner, Albert Morin, was injured in the incident and was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA: A police officer was killed and another was badly injured while responding to a domestic violence complaint at an apartment complex in north Alabama  on Tuesday, March 25. According to the Huntsville Police Department, officers found a woman, who had been shot, shortly after they arrived at the 4600 block of Governors House Drive around 4.45 pm.

Officers Garrett Crumby and Albert Morin were tending to a woman and two young children when an armed man attacked them and locked himself in an apartment, according to state attorney general Steve Marshall. Both had initially been transported to Huntsville Hospital in Alabama with life-threatening injuries. Crumbydied at 10.30 pm and Morin's situation is still critical after he underwent emergency surgery. The unnamed woman has non-life-threatening injuries and is being treated in a hospital.

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Who is Garrett Crumby? 

Crumby, according to state attorney general Steve Marshall, has been a member of the force for three years. Prior to that, he worked for the Tuscaloosa police for eight years. "He is the first Alabama police officer to fall to gunfire this year, but the third to be shot in the line of duty," Marshall said, as per Fox54. "Our part of the country has been reminded again this week of the pure heroism of those who make up the thin blue line—the dividing line, at times, between life and death for the citizens that they swear an oath to protect," Marshall continued, adding, "These two law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence call this evening, knowing full well that they would be placing their lives on the line in defense of their fellow man. We must never take their service and sacrifice for granted," per Fox News.

Who is Juan Robert Laws?

According to Huntsville officers, the suspect was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being nabbed around 6.20 pm. His injuries were not instantly known in full detail. According to the Madison County Jail, Juan Robert Laws, 24 was arrested for the fatal murder of a police officer at 10.54 pm. Dr Tyler Berryhill, the coroner for Madison County, will transport Crumby's body to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville on Tuesday. As per reports, an autopsy will be carried out on Wednesday morning, March 29. 

Community mourns death of Garrett Crumby

"This is a devastating loss for our department, the Huntsville community and the State of Alabama," Police Chief Kirk Giles stated, as per Fox, adding, "We send our heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family as they mourn their loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice. As we grieve with our fallen officer’s family, we have another officer fighting for his life. Please keep all our officers and the entire department in your prayers."

Mayor Tommy Battle said in a statement, "We are heartbroken. Words cannot express our loss. We have been overwhelmed by the show of love and support from our community, and we stand united with our police officers and their families in this tragic moment."

People from all over the world are sending the officers prayers and support, including Governor Kay Ivey who tweeted, "I am devastated to learn the news that two Huntsville police officers were shot in the line of duty this evening. I ask the people of Alabama to join me in prayer for these heroes and their family, friends and community. @HsvPolice" A user said, "Prayers to our brave officers." Another user mentioned, "This news is sickening! Thoughts and prayers covering both officers, their families and their fellow officers!"