December 12, 2023
The city of Decatur, Alabama, has terminated three police officers in connection with the fatal shooting of a Black man outside his home.
The city of Decatur, Alabama, has terminated three police officers in connection with the fatal shooting of Steve Perkins outside his residence during a confrontation with a tow truck driver, according to The Associated Press. Mayor Tab Bowling announced the decision on Dec. 7 following personnel hearings, refraining from disclosing the Alabama officers’ names or specific reasons for their dismissal. A fourth officer was also suspended.
The city’s police chief had previously stated that the shooting violated departmental policies. However, the ongoing review by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will determine if criminal charges are warranted or if the officers acted within the bounds of the law. The shooting, which occurred on Sept. 29, claimed the life of 39-year-old Steve Perkins when officers accompanied a tow truck driver attempting to repossess Perkins’ truck.
In a statement, the Perkins family acknowledged the dismissals as a “step in the right direction” but emphasized the need for further action. Nicholas Perkins, speaking on behalf of the family, expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “Three officers being fired and one being suspended is no comparison to Catrela losing her husband, me losing my brother, my mom losing her son, that’s not justified. We want these officers prosecuted.”
The incident, captured on a neighbor’s home surveillance camera and published by WAFF-TV, showed the tow truck backing into the driveway as Perkins emerged from his house. Officers ran out shouting commands, and multiple shots were rapidly fired. Regular protests have ensued in Decatur, with demonstrators demanding answers and accountability. The Perkins family disputes the initial police account, as evidenced by the neighbor’s video, and asserts that the truck payments were up to date.
Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion issued a public apology in October for providing inaccurate information initially. He clarified that officers did not instruct Perkins to drop his weapon but instead told him to “get on the ground.” Pinion, along with the mayor, personally delivered the news of the dismissals to Perkins’ family and affirmed a commitment to preventing such incidents in the future, stating, “I have pledged to take action to ensure something like this never happens in Decatur again, and that process has begun in earnest.”
