Gov. Kay Ivey announced the awarding of nearly $96,000 in grants to improve public safety in four jurisdictions in northwest Alabama. The grants to police departments in Russellville, Fayette, Cordova, and a grant to the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office will be used to purchase equipment for those agencies.
Fayette Police Officer Zakeith Wilson successfully completed his training and graduated from the Tuscaloosa Law Enforcement Academy on April 14.
The Fayette Police Department hosted a “Crisis Intervention Training” exercise last week to prepare law enforcement officers and medical first responders to better deal with mental health issues. Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins said that he has seen a sharp increase in the number of mental health related calls over the past several months. He said that many times, neither the health professionals nor the law officers are totally prepared to deal with certain situations when they arise.
Fayette Assistant Police Chief John Underwood had a retirement reception on Saturday, Jan. 29 to celebrate his long and successful career as a law enforcement officer with the Fayette Police Department.
Assistant Police Chief John Underwood is retiring from the Fayette Police Department this month after serving 27 years with the department. “Big John,” as he is affectionally known throughout the community, started with the police department as a patrolman in 1995, and has served the past 15 years as assistant police chief.
Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins said that with school beginning in Fayette County on Aug. 9, motorists need to exercise extreme caution on the roadways. Jenkins said that it has been more than two months since school buses have been on the roadways, and that drivers may have forgotten that the buses are once again making regular stops. He said that the failure to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading passengers could not only be costly, it could be a deadly mistake that could tear the community apart.
Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins told the Fayette City Council at its April 13 meeting that a policeman position would be posted within the next few days to replace a retiring officer. All council members were present for the meeting. Former Mayor Ray Nelson led the council in prayer prior to the beginning of the meeting. Jenkins said that Police Lieutenant Charles Walker, a veteran officer with approximately 22 years of service, will be retiring effective May 30.
Morgan, Norris graduate from Law Enforcement Academy
Dustin Morgan and Trace Norris are shown with Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins after graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy of Tuscaloosa on July 18. Jenkins said that the two officers are the first to attend the academy from the City of Fayette in several years, and said that he is proud they chose to work at the Fayette Police Department.
