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Preliminary Investigation Determines Man Shot Himself After Shooting Alabama Sheriff
September 8, 2012
An initial investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that a Flomaton man took his own life after shooting Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith Friday morning in Flomaton.
Deputies first arrived at the Arrington Lane home of 59-year old James Arrington Jr. about 8:30 a.m. Friday. The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office was joined by a tactical response team from the Brewton Police Department in an attempt to serve a mental health commitment order to pick up Arrington and transport him to a mental health facility.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
An Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit was on standby at the nearby Arrington Auto Parts Store, owned by a relative of the suspect. Deputies were prepared for the possibility of violence; Arrington had a historyof previous run-ins with law enforcement, including an incident involving a meat cleaver. Arrington, a Vietnam veteran, had a history a mental health issues, according to family friends.
Arrington became uncooperative with authorities and barricaded himself alone inside his residence.
About 10:30 a.m., the Brewton tactical team and Smith entered the home. Arrington fired one round at Smith, striking him in the right forearm. Arrington then turned the gun on himself. He was pronounced dead at 10:39 a.m.
No officer fired a weapon during the incident.
Smith was transported in good condition by the waiting Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and later to a Pensacola hospital for surgery. His injuries were not life-threatening.
Because an officer was shot, the investigation was turned over to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. The ABI’s final report and any findings will be presented to the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney for review. Officials said that report may not be complete for several weeks.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Investigators remained on scene for hours after the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff was shot Friday morning at this home in Flomaton. Pictured top inset: Sheriff Grover Smith. Pictured bottom inset: The shooting scene. Pictured below: An Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit arrives at the scene Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
42 Responses to “Preliminary Investigation Determines Man Shot Himself After Shooting Alabama Sheriff”
My friend, I’m still wearing my campaign hat you gave me once when you were seeking re-election. You have been a great Sheriff since day one and I pray the Lord will grant you a speedy and 100% recovery. Also, my heart aches for the Arrington family as they deal with grief and unanswered questions. May God bless all involved.
That is exactly what I was thinking Simper Fi, why was a extraction team brought in and then the Sheriff go in ahead of them?… That makes zero sense to me.
I have been in law enforcement a number of years I am very thankful this sheriff was not seriously injured and sorry for the famialy of the other party involved with this incident. However when this sheriff made the decision to call out a emergency response unit which I think was a professional decision but the decision made by the sheriff to enter the residence was very poor judgement and careless because at that point everyones focus was extracting the sheriff not the suspect. This choice put not only the sheriffs life but the life’s of every officer in the residence at the time. The Sheriff should have let the the emergency response team carry out orders from there commander and take this individual into custody without incident these men are highly trained and skilled in situations as this.
This is a fine example of why our State Mental Hospitals should not be shut down. I do believe Jimmy did serve in Vietnam and has had problems ever since. Our govt needs to do more for Veterans who have served in wars! Grover Smith you are the an excellent Sheriff. Praying for a speedy recovery. Thinking of the Arrington’s at this awful time.
Praying for your family…it doesn’t matter how old our children are they are still our babies…may the Lord bring you peace that Jim is with Him now…never to suffer again….Jim had a sweetness in his heart….God bless you all …..
Bill This is Tommy. Me and the Wife is so sorry for yall lost GOD Bless you and Keep you near him….
Granddstanding/ Some people just can’t get past the politics…more likely the sheriff knows the family quite well and thought he could help the situaton by being there. It is hard to tell what a mentally impaired person may do. I have had my experiences working with them. By the way, I do not know the sheriff personally or live in Alabama. Just saying that just because you are a politician doesn’t make every thing you do political.
kudos John S and Justin
Wasn’t sure anyone was going to talk about the elephant in the room or not. I don’t know Sheriff Grover but have heard that he would do anything for anybody and is a great guy. I hope that he has a full and speedy recovery and will continue to keep him and those involved in this traumatic event in my prayers. Having said that, grand standing puts everyone in danger. Sheriff Grover going in could have and probably did throw the tactical team off,putting themselves and everybody involved in danger. Having another person thrown into the mix puts them off their game. I dont know if the sheriff was or is trained in tactical operations or not but if not it was a very reckless thing for him to do. If I were his wife his actions today would concern me and cause many sleepless nights. Having been in a relationship with an LEO for a number of years, hearing stories of this kind of reckless behavior happening more than I wanted to know, I know that feeling all to well..
I hate that Grover Smith got shot, but he should of stayed outside and let the SWAT team do what they do!!
For what purpose, other than showboating (as most Sheriff’s & chiefs like to do) did Grover enter the house with the SWAT team? I’m fairly certain that they were trained and equipped to handle the situation without him. The fact they he was the only officer shot tells me that he made entry with the team with the intention of trying to reason with a dangerous armed suspect using the team as a bunch of bodyguards while he attempted to talk instead of letting the tactical team enter and attempt to take the suspect into custody. I know this post will be unpopular because everybody loves Grover Smith. He’s a great guy and a great sheriff, but when you insert yourself in a bad situation and handle things based on personal feelings and emotion instead of training and experience officers get hurt. I’m sure the SWAT team trained for these types of situations, and having someone tag along on the entry was most likely not a part of that training. I wish the sheriff a speedy recovery and I hope lessons are learned that may prevent officers being unnecessarily injured in the future.
I knew little jim, he was in the military, never in vietnam. Was discharged medically while in germany. Sorry to hear about this for him and his family. They have had to deal with this for a long time. Hope the sheriff is ok and thanks for his efforts.
This is so sad, my wife grew up with Jimmy.
Jimmy is a prime example of someone who died in Nam, and didn’t even know it. Prayers for him and his family. Glad Grover was not hurt and worse than he was, he was in a difficult situation.
I have known Bill all of my adult life and he is one of the best people I have ever known. I have always considered him a good friend. I have also known his mother and father very closely as of here lately. I would just like to say I am so sorry for their loss and for this terrible thing happening in their family.
Grover, God speed on your recovery. Terrible thing to have to go thru. Praying for both families.
sorry he got shot . Part of his job.I’am tired of everyone feeling sorry for the one who got shot. The cop did not just pull a weapon and shoot. He had a reason. I hope they throw the book at them.
Praying for both families,
A sad day for all
I knew little Jim . He has been put right back in those institutions every time he comes home. He probably just didn’t want to go back and to be left alone. He was a veteran and that probably caus ed some of his issues. It is sad. I pray he new Jesus !!
Sorry to hear about jimmy and grover my prayers go out to the family of jimmy and the speedy recovery of Grover smith who has helped me out greatly on occasion. Grover u are a great guy and us as a community want to thank you for the great job u have done for us. And hope to have you for many more year’s as our sheriff.
I’m so sorry to hear of this..I grew up with Jim Bill and Gail.May God be with you all..I will be praying for you all..
At first thought the sheriff was dead so glad he is alive. They are always in harms way with split seconds to decide. Continue to pray weekly for police and firefighters.
I was headed east on 31 this morning and saw the news people and LE, just the other side of Flomaton, wondered what was going on, now I know. Hope Sheriff Smith heals up well.
We are so sorry for all envolved-No Better people than the Arringtons .Grovers family is the best. This was a mixed up young man for a long time.He could be very nice and good to everyone -I hope nothing but the best for all envolved.The Gandys
sorry for both familes—we pray that maybe Jimmy can be at peace. He has had a ruff ride—God bless both familes and prayers that Glover will be fine.
My husband grew up with Jim and his brother Bill. Our prayers go out to the entire family.
My prayers go out to Sherrif Smith for a speedy recovery. May the Arrington family find comfort from God at this time. My prayers are with you.
I hope Mr. Smith recovers. Prayers go out to the Arrington family. May God bring you comfort.
I have known Jimmy and his family, my entire life and my heart goes out to his parents and family. I know God will be right by their sides through this tragic time. I love all of you and am here if I can do anything.
I worked for Grover Smith as a Deputy for years and he was one of the best guys that I’ve ever worked for.. He would always come to back us up on any situation that was remotely serious..
I remember times when he would be off duty and unexpectedly show up on-scene to back me up a Domestic call or the like.
He has always unselfishly put himself first in any dangerous situation..
I’m glad to hear that he is going to be ok..
RIP Jim
Patsy and Grover, Our prayers are certainly with you. We hope that you will soon be up and around again. Thinking of yall!
I’m sorry Mr Smith got shot in the line of duty. I pray for his speedy recovery. I’m also sorry for the Arrington family. Nothing will change what happened today, but I pray that God give you peace and comfort you in this horrible time.
This is such a sad situation. This will change a lot of things for a lot of people. Praying for all involved.
And more facts will be told, but Im sure the situation was not what either man had intended. It’s just sad, beyond sad.
Times are changing, things are happening differently than we need them to. I didnt read where Grover was responsible for the man’s death and Im sure he tried everything possible to avoid it. This is something you just dont want to live with and would avoid if all possible. (response off of Harley’s post)
So sad for the family truely aweful that a veteran’s life should end this way. I think Grover is a great man and he would have done anything to save this man from himself. Peace
Some people have lost their minds! Grover is a good man and I’m sure he was there doing what he does best, HIS JOB! Its a shame that someone had to loose their life but it’s no ones fault but their own. I only know what the article states so, no I don’t have all the facts but I do know Grover Smith well enough to know that neither he or his deputies just go around causing trouble and shooting at people, he does quite the opposite. Prayers for the family of the deceased and prayers for Gover’s speedy recovery and also that him and his family’s mind can be at peace with what happened in their lives today. Fortunately he was able to come home today but this incident will forever impact their lives as well. God Bless
Praying for you and your family Grover..
Sympathy to all who suffered loss.
This is so sad! My thoughts and prayers goes out to all the families involved!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Sheriff Smith.
Hopefully Sheriff Grover will recover quickly, sad situation. My prayers are with the family.
So, so sad! My prayers and thoughts are with the deputy and the deceased person’s family.
seems like all news now is bad news. too many shootings and too much violence.