A deputy sheriff and a police officer who died in the line of duty were honored today at a law enforcement conference in Montgomery.
Lowndes County Deputy Sheriff Levy Pettway died in a single-vehicle crash on Alabama 21 on April 10. Pettway was on his way to a hospital where his wife had been taken by ambulance for a medical emergency. Pettway's patrol car left the road and struck trees. Rescue workers removed him from the vehicle but were not able to revive him.
Pettway had worked for the Lowndes County Sheriff's Department for 12 years. Before that, he was an animal control officer in Montgomery.
Florala Police Officer Thomas Lane Price collapsed while working late at the police station on Dec. 18. Fellow officers administered CPR until an ambulance arrived. Price died a short time later at a local hospital.
Price began his law enforcement career with the Walker County Sheriff's Office. Price worked for the Alcoholic Beverage and Control Board Enforcement Division and retired from that position. Price joined the Florala Police Department in April 2013.
Pettway and Price were honored at the 18th Annual Attorney General's Law Enforcement Summit, held at Frazer United Methodist Church.
Attorney General Marshall and Chief Deputy Attorney General Clay Crenshaw recognized their sacrifices with a presentation of memorial flags and certificates of honor.
"We pause to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for public safety," Marshall said in a press release. "Let us all be encouraged as we remember and honor their legacy of commitment, dedication and service."
About 800 law enforcement officers and officials attended the summit. They heard instruction on cybercrime evidence gathering, including presentations from experts from Microsoft; law enforcement response to incidents involving mental illness; and best practices in school safety.