Officer Garry Chapman Placed on Leave Amid Fatal Chase and Civil Rights Lawsuit

Lead Priceville police officer Garry Chapman was placed on administrative leave on September 10 after a vehicle chase on September 6 ended in a fatal crash and he was named in a federal civil rights lawsuit this week.

Nut Graf Chapman’s suspension underscores mounting scrutiny over his conduct during high-speed pursuits and earlier allegations of excessive force. The dual investigations aim to determine whether departmental policies or individual actions contributed to the teenager’s death and the in-custody death of John Daniel Scott Jr.

Details

Subhead: Fatal Pursuit in Hartselle On September 6, Officer Chapman joined a pursuit of a suspect in Hartselle, Alabama. The chase ended when the suspect’s vehicle collided with another car at an intersection, resulting in six hospitalizations and the death of 17-year-old Tristan Hollis. The Alabama Sheriff’s Department and Hartselle Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Subhead: Administrative Leave and Standard Procedure Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin confirmed Chapman’s paid administrative leave, a routine measure pending internal review. No determination has been made regarding disciplinary or criminal charges.

Subhead: Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit In a separate matter, Chapman was identified in a lawsuit filed in federal court concerning the December custody death of John Daniel Scott Jr. The suit alleges Chapman used a taser and excessive physical force against Scott, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, and that those actions contributed to his death.

Subhead: Departmental and Community Response Priceville Police Department has declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigations. Community advocates have called for transparency and policy reform around pursuits and mental health interventions. The outcomes of both inquiries will inform potential changes to chase protocols and use-of-force guidelines.

Subhead: Next Steps Investigators from multiple agencies, including the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, will review video evidence, officer reports, and witness statements. Findings are expected in the coming weeks, after which the department will decide on any disciplinary action or policy revisions.