By Jared Boyd
Alabama Media Group
MOBILE, Ala. — Mobile County Police Chief Lawrence Battiste addressed the public on Thursday afternoon to speak about the legacy of a treasured officer within his department, Sergeant Jeremy Franks. Battiste confirmed Franks died from injuries sustained in a Thursday morning traffic accident.
The accident took place in the early morning hours on Tanner Williams Road.
Battiste says Franks was a 19-year veteran of the department who made great strides in recent years to help the ranks below him grow with his leadership.
“The men and women he led would follow him through any door. They depended on him and he depended on them,” Battiste said.
“He’s always served with dignity and pride. He’s represented the city, as well as the department extremely well,” Battiste said of the sergeant, who he remembers meeting just over two years ago. “From the moment I met him, he was the kind of guy who walks into a room and would light up that room. He’s always positive. Always upbeat. He had a cheerful kindness.”
According to Battiste, Franks, who was 41-years-old, was engaged to be married.
“We’d ask the community to send their prayers in the direction of Sergeant Franks’ family.”
As of Thursday, officials have no information regarding the cause of the accident.
Copyright 2017 Alabama Media Group