Bibb County sheriff’s deputy Brad Johnson passed away Thursday afternoon from complications stemming from a gunshot wound he sustained while in the line of duty.

Johnson was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle alongside fellow deputy Chris Poole when the two were shot by the assailant. Poole has been released from the hospital and is recovering from his injuries.

The suspect, 26-year-old convicted felon Austin Patrick Hall, was taken into custody after a coordinated manhunt was orchestrated by 16 different law enforcement agencies.

Johnson passed away at 3:18 p.m. Thursday at UAB Hospital.

During a press conference held shortly after Johnson’s passing, Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade honored the fallen deputy’s sacrifice and noted that his work to save lives had yet to end, as Hall was an organ donor.

Video courtesy of WBRC’s Mike Dubberly:

Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement offering her condolences to Johnson’s family and loved ones.

“Today, all of Alabama grieves the loss of one of our heroes in blue, Bibb County Deputy Brad Johnson,” said the governor. “At only 32 years-old, he served in law enforcement for several years and was engaged to be married. He will be remembered as a hero. He will not only be called a hero for protecting his community, but also through his organ donations. Our entire state is praying for his family, his fiancé and fellow law enforcement officers.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall touched on the details surrounding the incident that led to Johnson’s death.

“Alabama feels the heavy loss of another law enforcement hero who gave his life while putting his sworn duty to protect the public ahead of his own personal safety,” began Marshall’s statement.

“Bibb County Deputy Sheriff Brad Johnson and fellow Deputy Chris Poole were each met with gunfire as they engaged an armed suspect who was driving a stolen vehicle off of Alabama Highway 25 on Golfer’s Trail, in rural Bibb County around 4:00 pm Wednesday,” he added. “Both deputies were transported by ambulance to UAB Medical Center in Birmingham where they received emergency treatment. Sadly, Deputy Johnson never recovered from his serious head injury and was removed from life support Thursday afternoon.”

Marshall continued, “I would like to ask all Alabamians to pause and reflect on the loss of Deputy Brad Johnson and to pray for his family. As Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade noted, Deputy Johnson will continue to save lives through organ donations.”

The attorney general declared that the justice system had “failed” the officers and stated his intentions to examine the details of Hall’s release from imprisonment.

“Deputy Johnson, age 32, was a 7-year veteran of the Bibb County Sheriff’s office. He is survived by his fiancée, two children and his parents,” noted Marshall. “Deputy Chris Poole, age 30, was released from the hospital and is thankfully recovering from his injuries. Shooting suspect, Austin Patrick Hall, a convicted felon with a lengthy record of violent offenses, was captured after an approximate 16-hour manhunt. My office assisted in the multiple agency effort to capture Hall and bring him to justice.”

Hall holds an extensive history of violent conduct. An apparent career criminal, the shooting suspect was recently indicted on several charges stemming from a 2019 incident in Calhoun County. It is unclear what led to Hall’s release.

Marshall concluded, “My Office is closely scrutinizing the policies that allowed for a violent offender, like Hall, to walk free. The justice system failed these officers and I will do everything in my power to ensure that doesn’t happen again.”