Alabama police officer fired following chase ending in deadly crash

PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Priceville Police Chief Jerry Holmes confirmed officer Garry Chapman, the officer involved in a police chase that ended in a deadly crash in Hartselle, is no longer employed by the department. 

Speaking to News 19 over the phone on Sept. 9, Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin said that Chapman had been placed on administrative leave after the chase, which was initiated on Interstate 65. Priceville Police said the chase began when an officer attempted to stop the suspect for moving violations/suspicion of driving under the influence. 

The Priceville Police Department previously said the officers involved in the chase were placed on administrative leave.

Chapman’s attorney, Scott Morro, told News 19 that Chapman was terminated by Priceville Police, and the mayor upheld his termination. Morro said Chapman is appealing the decision and will have a hearing on Oct. 13 following the city council meeting. There, the council will hear his case.

Morro reached out to News 19 to give a statement on Chapman’s firing.

“Garry Chapman is an excellent police officer who has made several cases for the City of Priceville, and he is their top police officer even though he has only been there a short period of time,” Morro told News 19.

Morro said Chapman’s case is legally and factually sound.

“The fact and the law are on Garry Chapman’s side,” Morro said.

He added that it is not lost on Chapman that this situation is a tragedy.

Through an investigation of Chapman’s social media, News 19 has learned that Chapman is the son of Duane Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter. Chapman has also previously been featured on the Priceville Police Department’s social media as recently as April.

Hartselle police said the Priceville Police Department was engaged in a vehicle chase that entered Hartselle on Highway 36. The chase ended in a crash at the intersection where the suspect’s vehicle hit another vehicle that was carrying 17-year-old Tristan Hollis and at least three others, resulting in injuries.

According to his grandmother, Hollis was killed in that crash.