Tuscaloosa police officer dies after being shot in line of duty
WVTM 13 Digital News
Update: Luther Bernard Watkins has been charged with capital murder.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Authorities are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of a Tuscaloosa police officer late Monday afternoon.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said 40-year-old Dornell Cousette, a father of two daughters who had been with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for more than a decade. Maddox said Cousette was engaged to be married.
"In our community, our heroes wear the police uniform of the Tuscaloosa Police Department. And tonight, one of our heroes has died in the line of duty, protecting our city," Maddox said. "It is my sad and solemn duty to
announce the passing of Dornell Cousette, age 40, 13-plus-year veteran of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, a father of two daughters and engaged to be married."
Interim Chief Mitt Tubbs joined Maddox at the news conference to share the tragic news and said Cousette exchanged gunfire with a suspect inside a house in the 3300 block of 33rd Avenue.
"Every time you hear the phone ring, you hope that it's not this call," Tubbs said. "And unfortunately, today it was this call."
"He was well thought of throughout the department," Tubbs addded. "He was a hero. He was a hero."
Cousette's body was escorted by police to Montgomery, where an autopsy is planned.
The chief said the suspect, who was wanted on a felony failure to appear warrant, was wounded in the shooting. The suspect's condition is unknown at this time.
The city of Tuscaloosa said on social media at 8:35 p.m. that the suspect is in custody and "there is no further danger."
https://www.wvtm13.com/article/tusca...erway/29078096
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