Sad day in south Alabama

[EFD840]

This happened yesterday. One of our local television stations had pretty extensive coverage of the story and this little blurb doesn't really do it justice. According to the TV news story, the firefighter involved was well known and liked in the community and was personally known to some of the police officers involved in the incident. The TV report also stated that there was communication between FF Hudson, the officers, and even his wife via radio while the pursuit was occuring meaning half the town probably listened to the tragedy unfold.

Nobody speculated about a motive and right now it doesn't matter. Eufaula is a small city (probably around 15,000) and something like this will take a long time to get over. We need to remember the entire public safety community and FF Hudson's family in our prayers. Also, someone from Eufaula occasionally posts on the forums. If you're still dropping in, let the folks down there know we're praying for them.

The story is from WSFA TV-12's web site.
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Eufaula Fire Medic Shot After Morning Rampage

Authorities in Eufaula are investigating the circumstances surrounding the early morning death of a city fire medic.

Barbour County Coroner Chip Chapman said Eric Hudson was pronounced dead shortly before 6 a-m Monday. He said Hudson died from gunshot wounds sustained at the Eufaula Fire Department's downtown central station. Chapman said police had chased Hudson around Eufaula after he began destroying property and allegedly fired gunshots at or near the fire chief's residence and at a fire station. The pursuit ended when Hudson rammed his pickup truck into the bay doors at the central station fire house and shots rang out. It's unclear if Hudson's wounds were self-inflicted or were fired by a police officer.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation, Eufaula police and the Barbour County district attorney's office are investigating.

[EFD840]

The same event as reported in a Columbus, Ga. newspaper:
---------------------------------
Eufaula police kill fire medic
Car chase ends in crash, gunbattle

BY ERIN SIMPSON
Staff Writer

A car chase by police officers in downtown Eufaula early Monday morning ended with the death of a fire medic.

Eufaula Police Department Capt. Philip Ezell said officers responded to a disturbance at Kevco Laundromat on South Eufaula Avenue around 3:30 a.m. and saw a Chevrolet pickup leaving the area.

The driver, identified as 38-year-old Eufaula Fire medic Eric Hudson, fired a gun at police cars, Ezell said. Officers pursued the truck to a residential area, where more shots were fired from the truck.

Hudson then drove to Country Club Road and cut through the Eufaula Country Club golf course before driving back downtown and crashing the truck into Central Fire Station on South Orange Avenue.

"He rammed the truck into the closed bay at the fire station," Ezell said. "Shots were fired after the suspect raised his weapon."

Two officers fired on Hudson, who later died at Lakeview Community Hospital of a gunshot wound to the head. No one else was injured.

"As you can imagine, this was very difficult for our police officers responding to this type call," Eufaula Mayor Jay Jaxon Jr. said in a statement. "Any death-related matter is hard enough, but when it is directly connected to public safety employees that work together, it is especially devastating."

The two officers involved in the shooting will probably be placed on routine administrative leave, Ezell said.

Hudson, married and the father of two daughters, had been a fire medic in Eufaula since March 1996.

Fire Chief David Anderson said no one has a clue what might have triggered the incident. "This just completely baffles everyone," he said. "This is out of the blue."

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney's office are investigating. Orvie Locklar, chief investigator for the district attorney's office, said the cause was not known. "I don't know that we'll ever know that," he said.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

What's sad about this incident is that two police officers were forced to kill this guy. They are the victims here. Because of whatever malfunction set this guy off and he wants to play suicide by cop, the lives of two police officers are changed forever.

This medic had to have problems before this. You don't just get out of bed one day and decide to go play shoot 'em up on your city's streets.

[Ohiovolffemtp]

There are MANY Victims Here

George is very right - it's very sad that two officers had to shoot this medic. Whether he ultimately fired the fatal shot or engaged in suicide by police, those officers will be traumatized. It's a part of law enforcement that almost all the officers I know hope they'll never face.

There are many other victims too, especially the medic's family. If the reports are correct and his wife was in contact with him on the radio, she must be horrified as well.

EFD840 is right - let's keep all of them: the PD, FD, rescue squad, and his family in our prayers.

There's also a need for each of us to watch our brothers & sisters to see if something is seriously wrong with their emotional state. Often, we can see clues and at least suggest help.

[EFD840]

Here's a more detailed story .

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Eric Hudson drove his motorcycle to New York City a few weeks ago to see Ground Zero up close. He wanted to stand where fellow firefighters perished on Sept. 11, 2001.

He hoped to deal with the anger and bitterness he still felt over the attacks on America. He went looking for closure on the tragedy that troubled him so deeply.

He didn't find it.

Oh good. The newly begun "9/11 defense".

Funny, I don't see any of the FF WHO WERE ACTUALLY THERE running around firing a weapon at the police.

[loxfire6016]

George,
IF you are trying to offend people, it's working. Please correct me if I am wrong.

This isn't a laughing or joking matter: it's very serious! The police officers involved will be affected, yes, but think about all the fire and rescue personal. Any of them who were friends on the guy might think it's thier fault that this happened. It sounds more like something that they couldn't control, and something went wrong outside the department. BUT I could be wrong, and if I am I'll be the first one to post that I am.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by loxfire6016
George,
IF you are trying to offend people, it's working. Please correct me if I am wrong.

This isn't a laughing or joking matter: it's very serious! The police officers involved will be affected, yes, but think about all the fire and rescue personal. Any of them who were friends on the guy might think it's thier fault that this happened. It sounds more like something that they couldn't control, and something went wrong outside the department. BUT I could be wrong, and if I am I'll be the first one to post that I am.

I'm sure something did go wrong outside the department. That is why I feel little sympathy. I have seen far too much of this nonsense in my career and have witnessed the aftermath and the personal wreckage that follows.

And am I the only one offended by the "9/11 defense"?

[a191042]

George, I agree, the "9/11" defense is a bunch of crap.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

I am not offended by the "911 defense" because nowhere do I see a suicide note etc. that uses that term... I only see what the media has inserted into THEIR take on the subject. The media NEVER embellishes (right). Something DID go terribly wrong with this man. Mental illness is just that, an ILLNESS. I am certainly happy no one else was physically harmed. Not everyone is as hardend in the ways of the world as some of us are on these boards. Many of us have seen many many many (too many) suicides and other senseless deaths. we go about our business and don't say much about it. If you dont feel bad for the mans family, co workers, and the police officers who where involved, thats your business, but we cannot hypothesize why he did what he did. But it IS NOT WRONG to feel badly for him. or even mourn his loss.

[Batman2696]

A Sad Day

In January of 2001 a friend of mine and fellow firefighter was killed in much the same way. We had spent a year togeathor just a few months prior and became great friends.

At the time of his death he was having personal problems and was being investigated by the police. I never found out why of if the alligations were true. Finding out would only make me think less of him or be angry at those who brought on the alligations. He was gone and the only thing that matters is that he was a good person and I miss him alot.

After the fact things can't be changed. Be greatful the Officers did what they had to do so they could go home safely to their family's as we all want to do after a shift serving the public, and don't be afraid to ask those you care about if they need some help or someone to talk to.

[FiremedicMike]

George, I've watched you post ever since I started on this board a few years ago, and I've noticed your replies to be more grizzled and close-minded over the last few months.

Do you need a hug?

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

If you dont feel bad for the mans family, co workers, and the police officers who where involved, thats your business, but we cannot hypothesize why he did what he did.

I think if you re-read my first post, that is exactly what I am saying.

George, I've watched you post ever since I started on this board a few years ago, and I've noticed your replies to be more grizzled and close-minded over the last few months.

Do you need a hug?

I'm just as grizzled as I have ever been. I'm just misunderstood. But I would never turn down a hig.