WAFF-TV News, Huntsville, Ala.
Athens has lost two veteran police officers in what’s being called an “unprovoked ambush.”
Forty-two year old Sgt. Larry Russell and 40-year old Officer Tony Mims were gunned down when they responded to a call around 12:45 Friday afternoon. Officer Mims was still sitting in his patrol car when he was shot multiple times. Russell was the second officer on the scene, killed just as he got out of his car.
Police arrested Farron Barksdale and have charged him with six counts of Capital Murder.
Friday was a tough day for those who knew the Athens police officers, described as Athen’s finest--two men highly respected in their community.
“This is a makeshift shrine, in memory of both of them,” said Doug Bevil, showing two lit candles resting on an American flag.
Bevel not only knew the officers, he also knew the man accused of killing them, 30-year old Farron Barksdale, who faces six counts of capital murder.
“To know all that has happened and that he (Farron) was involved is unbelievable,” said Bevil. “I just want to close my eyes and wish it was a dream.”
Both officers dedicated their lives to their community, a community that mourns not only their deaths, but the brutal way in which they were killed-gunned down with an assault rifle. Fellow officers say they never had a chance.
“If these candles do nothing else, maybe they will let the families know that we are thinking about them,” Bevil said. “We are feeling the loss they are feeling.”
Across town and just a few blocks from the scene of the shooting, Scott Claxton draped an American flag in front of the police department, a show of respect to two fallen heroes.
“They were just two regular guys. They were more than police officers, they were like family to us,” Claxton said. “These guys will be missed. They can get someone else, but they can’t be replaced.”