Mobile Police Department Officer Sean Tuder was shot and killed while executing a search warrant on Sunday, marking the second police officer in Alabama to be killed in the line of duty over a span of just seven days.
According to WALA, Police Chief Lawrence Battiste said Tuder was shot at the Peach Place Inn on Leroy Stevens Road in West Mobile around 3:00 p.m.
Battiste advised that Tuder was with a group of officers attempting to arrest Marco Perez, who has since been taken into custody. It was not immediately clear if Perez fired the shot that killed Tuder.
Perez, 19, had been wanted by Mobile Police Department and federal authorities on several charges. Earlier this week, police accused him of faking his own kidnapping to avoid being taken to jail.
WALA reported that Tiffany Perez, Marco’s mother, was arrested Thursday night after police said she helped her son fake the kidnapping so he could evade law enforcement officers. She is charged with filing a false report.
Tuder joined the Mobile Police Department in March of 2016 and was named officer of the month in August of 2017.
Elected officials across Alabama mourned the news on Sunday, with Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) saying he was praying for Tuder’s family following the “tragic shooting.”
Tonight Alabama mourns the loss of another law enforcement officer. @MobileALPolice Officer Sean Tuder was killed in the line of duty while executing an arrest warrant. A suspect is in custody. We pray for Officer Tuder’s family and his fellow officers. #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/Lyc3JVPYuK
— AG Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) January 21, 2019
Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) tweeted, “Horrific news out of Mobile. Our prayers are with [Officer Tuder’s] family, the [Mobile Police Department], and our entire community.”
Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson said, “Earlier today, Mobile lost one of our best and finest, Officer Sean Tuder. We send our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this tragedy. We mourn together as a community and we love together as a community.”
Tuder’s death came less than a year after the shooting death of Mobile Officer Justin Billa, who was killed in the line of duty on February 20, 2018.
Birmingham Police Department Sergeant Wytasha Carter was shot and killed while investigating a car robbery last Sunday. Carter’s funeral was held on Saturday.
Update, 9:00 p.m.:
WKRG is now reporting that Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich has authorized a capital murder charge against Perez in relation to Tuder’s death.
Being convicted of capital murder can result in the death penalty in Alabama.
Update, 10:00 p.m.:
Governor Kay Ivey released a statement, extending her “sincerest condolences and heartfelt prayers.”
“Less than a day after laying to rest Birmingham Police Sergeant Wytasha Carter, I’m saddened to learn of the death of Mobile Police Officer Sean Tuder, who was killed today in the line of duty,” Ivey said. “I extend my sincerest condolences and heartfelt prayers to Officer Tuder’s wife and family, fellow officers and to the community he served.”
“Officer Tuder was an exceptional young officer, a true leader and was once recognized as ‘Officer of the Month’ for his commitment to serve and protect. This senseless tragedy has sadly taken the life of yet another Mobile police officer, far too soon, and stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who wear the badge. To the Mobile community, know that all of Alabama joins you in mourning this remarkable law enforcement officer,” Ivey concluded.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
