2 Fairfield Police Officers Shot (one dead)

**TheeBadOne** · 10-23-06, 01:32 PM

Fairfield Police Officers Shot

FAIRFIELD, Ala. -- Two police officers were involved in a shooting Monday morning at 5323 Ave. H in Fairfield.

Authorities said the officers had responded to a call regarding a suspicious male in the neighborhood.

According to police, a female officer was confirmed dead at the scene. The other was airlifted to UAB Hospital for treatment and is in critical condition.

Police have apprehended one suspect and are still searching for the second.

Officials said schools in the area, including Miles College and St. Mary's Catholic School, are currently on lockdown while police search for the suspect.

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**gozling** · 10-23-06, 01:41 PM

that is awful to hear...
my thoughts are with them

**Just KC** · 10-23-06, 10:09 PM

How awful

CopsRCool302 · 10-23-06, 10:24 PM

Rest In Peace! This is very sad.

Prayers to her family.

**Five-0** · 10-24-06, 10:08 AM

Just alittle update on this.... back in the day I worked with the officer that survived. He is not in critical condition. He was shot in the leg and his leg was broken. I wil be going to see him this afternoon and keep ya'll up to date.

**gunther-belgium** · 10-24-06, 10:27 AM

Sad to hear... my condolences...

**Willowdared** · 10-24-06, 12:13 PM

Thoughts and prayers enroute.

**snuffy2202** · 10-24-06, 02:05 PM

Update

1 Alabama police officer killed, 1 wounded; schools locked down during manhunt
The Associated Press

Published: October 23, 2006

FAIRFIELD, Alabama A police officer was fatally shot in a Birmingham suburb and a backup officer was wounded, sparking a manhunt and prompting school lockdowns, authorities said.

More than 150 police officers blocked roads Monday in Fairfield and went door to door with guns drawn searching for two men, authorities said.

"A very cold-blooded murderer, a thug, if you will, is on the streets," Fairfield Mayor Michael Johnson told reporters. He urged the suspects to turn themselves in.

Officer Mary Smith, 48, was responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle about 10:15 a.m. when she was shot as she stepped from her patrol car, authorities said. Officer Erick Burpo, who arrived on the scene a few seconds later, was shot in the leg.

Police Chief Pat Mardis told The Birmingham News that Smith was able to use her radio to call in part of a license plate number, and that officers were searching for a vehicle described as a beige Ford pickup truck.

Smith was shot in the chest and died at a hospital, Mardis said. Smith had joined the Fairfield police two months ago after retiring from the police force in neighboring Birmingham.

Officials locked down a half-dozen schools in the area during the manhunt.

**snuffy2202** · 10-24-06, 02:13 PM

Officer Mary Smith's killer was apprehended this morning. I knew Officer Smith well when she worked for Birmingham P.D. She had just retired on September 1, this year. She was always laughing and smiling. She never had anything bad to say about anyone. She will be missed terribly by all of us.

On another sad note, Sgt. Joe Hill, Birmingham P.D. was in a motorcycle accident in Lafayette, LA last weekend and died when his rear tire blew. I worked with him when he was at North Precinct. He was always so upbeat and jovial. He too, will be missed terribly.

**Hannibal** · 10-24-06, 03:07 PM

What a loss. RIP.

**chris2001** · 10-24-06, 03:25 PM

R.I.P

We have your watch now.

**Five-0** · 10-24-06, 05:11 PM

Just got back from going to see Erick this afternoon. He is doing well. He was sleeping when I was there, but the Dr. told me that he might be getting out as early as tonight. If he can manage the crutches he is free to go. His wife is taking it very well considering they were only recently married. He was actually shot twice. His vest caught the bullet that hit him in the back. This kind of thing always sucks. It sucks alot more when it is someone you know. Snuffy, I am sorry for your loss. It sounds like Mary was a gem, and she will be missed by alot of people.

**Five-0** · 10-24-06, 11:33 PM

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Capital murder charges filed in Fairfield officer's death
Authorities charged Demetrius Avery Jackson Jr. this afternoon with capital murder in the death of Fairfield police officer Mary Smith and attempted murder in the shooting of officer Erick Burpo.

Jackson is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer.

Fairfield Police Chief Patrick Mardis said Smith was shot Monday in front of a residence at 5323 Avenue H in Fairfield. She had two suspects detained on the hood of her cruiser when another man walked up and shot her, Mardis said. Seconds later, Burpo arrived in his cruiser and was shot by the same man, Mardis said.
Authorities, after an overnight search involving as many as 150 agents and officers, arrested Jackson without incident at 11:30 a.m. today at his girlfriend’s apartment at 100 Pratt Hwy. He was alone in a unit of the St. Charles Villa Apartments. Officers are holding two other suspects but no charges have been field against any of the three. “We want to send the message that violence against our police officers will not be tolerated,” Mardis said.

Capital murder charges to be sought in police killing

Authorities said they will seek capital murder charges and federal charges for a 21-year-old Leeds man arrested today in connection with Monday’s fatal shooting of a Fairfield police officer and wounding of another.

Demetrius Avery Jackson Jr. who had been sought in connection with the death of officer Mary Smith and wounding of officer Erick Burpo, is in the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer being interviewed by state and federal authorities.

Fairfield Police Chief Patrick Mardis said Smith was shot Monday in front of a residence at 5323 Avenue H in Fairfield. She had two suspects detained on the hood of her cruiser when another man walked up and shot her, Mardis said. Seconds later, Burpo arrived in his cruiser and was shot by the same man, Mardis said.

Authorities, after an overnight search involving as many as 150 agents and officers, arrested Jackson without incident at 11:30 a.m. today at his girlfriend’s apartment at 100 Pratt Hwy. He was alone in a unit of the St. Charles Villa Apartments. Officers are holding two other suspects but no charges have been field against any of the three. “We want to send the message that violence against our police officers will not be tolerated,” Mardis said.

The funeral for Smith will be at noon Friday at New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bessemer. Burpo had surgery at UAB hospital and is expected to be released either today or tomorrow, Mardis said.

**snuffy2202** · 10-25-06, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Five-0

Just got back from going to see Erick this afternoon. He is doing well. He was sleeping when I was there, but the Dr. told me that he might be getting out as early as tonight. If he can manage the crutches he is free to go. His wife is taking it very well considering they were only recently married. He was actually shot twice. His vest caught the bullet that hit him in the back. This kind of thing always sucks. It sucks alot more when it is someone you know. Snuffy, I am sorry for your loss. It sounds like Mary was a gem, and she will be missed by alot of people.

Thanks, Five-0, for your words of comfort. I'm glad Erick is doing better. Everybody, stay safe out there. It seems like there are more and more police shootings every day.

**gozling** · 10-25-06, 04:20 PM

i cant understand why someone would do this..
geesh

**10-42Adam** · 10-26-06, 12:33 PM

RIP

I hope the killer rots in hell...

**chris2001** · 10-26-06, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by gozling

i cant understand why someone would do this..
geesh

Sad thing is we will probably never know the true reason why these people do things like this. Other than they are stupid and have gone psycho.

**Five-0** · 10-27-06, 11:39 PM

Rest in Peace Mary...

Fairfield police chief Patrick Mardis, left, and Fairfield Mayor Michael Johnson pay tribute to Officer Mary Smith at her funeral service at New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bessemer, Ala.

Officers dismissed