The morning of the Mobile Bay area’s first tropical storm of the season was the day I reported to 4th Precinct for my July ride with MPD. During roll call, the good-natured jokes shared made it obvious there was a feeling of family amid the squad. The lieutenant remarked that the day would be a bit cooler because of the stormfront, but for the officers to be aware of the scattered rain bands—which reoccurred throughout the overcast day.
The first call my host, Officer Dunegan, was dispatched to was a multi-vehicle wreck on I-65. With the misty rain near constant that hour, motorists didn’t seem to notice the blue lights on the shoulder of the interstate. Knowing that people and vehicles—including first responders—on the sides of roads are often struck by other drivers always creates a heightened awareness when I’m in those locations. The southbound drivers didn’t slow down or move over, which caused the heavy Tahoe to sway with each passing vehicle. Only for the brief time the Mobile Fire and Rescue Department truck pulled up behind the patrol vehicle, partially blocking the travel lane, did motorists give ample room.
Between patrol times and sitting out the heaviest of downpours, Officer Dunegan assisted other squad members on traffic stops and answered dispatched calls regarding everything from traffic accidents to a 9-1-1 hang up call that turned out to be related to a stabbing, which closed out the final hour of patrol. But the biggest event of the day happened mid-shift.
A traffic stop that turned into a chase came over the radio from 2nd Precinct. Hearing that the route of travel on a northbound street heading into Officer Dunegan’s beat area put him on alert. We reached Old Shell Rd. and McGregor Ave. moments after the crash. Officer Dunegan parked in the middle of the street and joined the officers struggling to restrain the suspect until medical arrived, while other officers, including a few from S.W.A.T. who happened to be in the area, gave different assistance. Some officers helped the occupants of the pick-up truck that was struck, while others worked to divert traffic while still more MPD vehicles arrived from both the north and south sides of the road.
For nearly half an hour, I sat in the Tahoe in the middle of the barricaded scene, watching everything from the way the subject was handled to how the people from nearby parking lots and sidewalks watched or videoed the scene with their cell phones. A public safety information officer and at least one MPD major arrived, as well as officers from both western precincts, several whom I knew from previous rides. There was much to keep the officers busy, like moving the wreck debris out of the road so the ambulances could get through and directing traffic at the nearby intersection that was partially blocked by responding officers.
Once the suspect was restrained and stabilized, Officer Dunegan acted as escort for the MFRD ambulance carrying him. We followed them to an emergency room across town during busy lunch-hour traffic. It was the first of its kind experience for me, from being in the middle of a crime scene to seeing things through to the hospital. Even though I never left the patrol vehicle, there was plenty to witness.
As accidents and travel mishaps have the potential to happen around us at any time, please remember to slow down during inclement weather, avoid areas with road hazards, and clear the travel lane closest to emergency vehicles. And if there is a police barricade, don’t approach the area unless an officer waves you through.
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