FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS RELEASE
October 18, 2016
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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AG STRANGE HOLDS 17th ANNUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMIT
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange presented the 17th annual
Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Summit on Tuesday, October 18, carrying on a
tradition since 2000. Nearly 900 law enforcement officers from throughout Alabama
registered to attend and received practical information and professional training. The 2016
summit was held in Montgomery at Frazer United Methodist Church.
Attorney General Strange welcomed law enforcement officers and discussed the
work of his office in supporting law enforcement throughout the state. “I can’t think of a
tougher job across our country than serving on the front lines as a law enforcement officer.
Too often people are quick to judge the professionalism and integrity of our dedicated
public servants. My law enforcement summit is a way for me and my staff to give back to
these brave men and women, to give them an opportunity to know that they are
appreciated and respected.”
This year’s conference featured a series of presentations from experts: “Responding
to People with Special Needs,” by Dustin Chandler, president and co-founder of
Interaction Advisory Group; “Law Enforcement Response to Officer-Involved Shootings,”
by Captain Scott Bartle, Region G Commander of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s
State Bureau of Investigation; “Recruiting for Today’s Law Enforcement Agency/Minority
Recruiting,” by Chief A.C. Roper, chief of police of the Birmingham Police Department;
and “Legislative Update,” by Chief Deputy Attorney General Alice Martin.
A somber highlight of the day came with the commemoration of fallen officers who
lost their lives in the line of duty during the past year. Attorney General Strange and
Chief Deputy Martin recognized the sacrifices of the following officers with a presentation
of memorial flags and certificates of honor:
Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Troy Seamon of the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office,
died on April 4, 2016. He suffered an apparent heart attack while on duty. He had served
with the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 18 years. Sergeant Seamon started as a
reserve deputy and paid his own way through police academy. He handled the
department’s technology initiatives, served as a grant writer and registered sex offenders.
Sergeant Seamon was known throughout the agency for his sense of humor and his quick
wit. He leaves behind his parents and sister.
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Corrections Officer Kenneth Bettis of the Alabama Department of Corrections
died on September 16, 2016. He was stabbed by an inmate on September 1 and
succumbed to his injuries a little over two weeks later at the University of South Alabama
in Mobile. In addition to serving as a corrections officer for the State of Alabama for a
number of years, Officer Bettis was a veteran who served a tour of duty in Iraq with the
Alabama National Guard. He received the Army Commendation Medal, Army
Achievement Medal and Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star. Officer
Bettis was known among his colleagues as a firm and fair corrections officer, and was
highly respected for his work ethic and dedicated service to his profession. He was a
husband and father of three children.
“I am grateful and proud of the bravery and unselfish dedication that law
enforcement officers give to people of Alabama in their service to us each day,” said
Attorney General Strange. “It is my hope that this summit will provide valuable
instruction and shared information that law enforcement will take back to their
communities and that it may be of assistance as they carry out their noble task of
protecting the people of Alabama.”
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