A Kimberly Police Department officer was fatally shot in the line of duty on Tuesday night.

The officer, whose name has not been made public, was shot during a pursuit on I-65 in the north part of Jefferson County, according to Attorney General Steve Marshall. He was then taken to UAB hospital before passing away early Wednesday morning.

Marshall tweeted on Wednesday, “I am saddened to bring this update: Another officer has lost his life in the line of duty. The Kimberly Police Department will release more information at 1:00 p.m. Please pray for his family—including a son and a daughter—and his fellow officers. #ThinBlueLine.”

Governor Kay Ivey added her condolences, saying in a statement, “I am profoundly grieved to hear of the passing of the Kimberly Police Officer who was shot in the line of duty last night. The safety of our citizens and the rule of law is forefront on the minds of our officers who willingly risk their lives on behalf of ours. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The person charged with capital murder in connection to shooting is 37-year-old Preston Cheyenne Johnson.

According to WRBC, “Johnson is a convicted felon. His criminal history includes an arrest in Cullman County last October in connection to a stolen vehicle and drug charges.”

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.