UPDATED: DPD officer strikes downtown monument in early morning accident

Update: Sunday, July 17, 8:30AM

This is a follow-up to the accident that occurred in the downtown area of Demopolis, Al., on Saturday July 16, 2016 around 3:30 am.

Demopolis Police Chief Tommie Reese stated that the department has completed its findings of the Internal Investigation involving a Demopolis Police Officer damaging city property. Chief Reese stated that the investigation revealed that the Officer failed to maintain control of his patrol unit resulting in the extensive damage to the Monument and the Patrol Unit causing the unit to be totaled.

The Officer was transported to the Bryan Whitfield E.R, for a drug screen and later placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard Demopolis Police Department procedure.

Chief Reese said that he had read the comments that were being made on social media, but his department had to make sure that a complete and thorough investigation was done before making a statement. “This was an accident and was not an intentionally act, as some may have wanted or made it out to be, it was just an accident.”

“I am glad the Officer wasn’t injured or killed because we can’t replace a life, but a monument can be repaired or replaced.”

Disciplinary actions will be handled by the department and this matter is closed, said Chief Reese.

Original Story:

A Demopolis Police Department patrol officer struck the Confederate Monument in downtown Demopolis in the early hours of Saturday morning, this according to a release from the Chief of Police Tommie Reese.

Reese released this prepared statement Saturday morning:

“In the early morning hours of Saturday July 16. 2016, a Demopolis Police Officer while on patrol ran into the Confederate Monument on Capital and Main Street. Demopolis Police Chief Tommie Reese said that his department is doing an internal investigation into the accident. Reese also stated that the officer was not hurt in the accident and that he has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This was an accident and nothing else.”

According to Mayor Mike Grayson, the soldier atop the statue was removed by Demopolis Public Works officials following the accident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m.

Grayson took to Facebook Saturday morning to issue a call to unity.

“In light of the accident involving the confederate monument, I’m asking for everybody that loves Demopolis to meet me at the monument Monday afternoon July 18 at 5:30,” Grayson wrote. “The purpose of this meeting is for prayer unity in our community peace and understanding. No more no less . I would hope that we could get 1000 people in the street for the purpose of good. This is a demonstration not so much to protest anything but to promote . Details to follow.”

The West Alabama Watchman will follow this story and post updates as they become available.