The Montgomery Police Department has announced the temporary closure of several downtown streets Saturday as it prepares for the funeral of its longtime chaplain.
Of those, 234 of those deaths were attributed to COVID-19.
The dearth of attendees at Montgomery Police Department s annual Fallen Officers Memorial on Wednesday emphasized the Coronavirus shadow hanging over the affair. Where there would normally be relatives of Montgomery s fallen officers and community leaders were instead no more than 25 officers and 25 firefighters standing in formation.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed spoke about the recent passing of MPD chaplain and Pastor E. Baxter Morris, who gave over 20 years ministering to officers and at times firefighters.
Finley noted the ceremony could have been even more somber had two officers shot Saturday been more seriously wounded.
Montgomery police chaplain dies By WSFA Staff | May 3, 2021 at 6:02 PM CDT - Updated May 3 at 10:30 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The city of Montgomery and the Montgomery Police Department are mourning the death of police departmentâs chaplain over the weekend.
The Rev. E. Baxter Morris, who served as MPD chaplain as well as senior pastor at First Baptist Church on N. Ripley Street, died Sunday while surrounded by loved ones, the city said.
âReverend Morris was a man of God, and he was a man for God,â Mayor Steven L. Reed said. âHe answered the Lordâs call to service, time and time again, giving of himself to teach and love others. As one of the great pillars of our community, he championed our people and advocated for everyone. Rev. Morris donated his time to mentor and support our police officers and emergency first-responders, helping to spearhead the Good Shepard program. Along with his wife Rebie, Rev. Morris personified what it means to be a se
View Comments
Montgomery s flags were lowered to half-staff this week as the city mourned longtime pastor, community leader and Montgomery police chaplain Rev. E. Baxter Morris.
For nearly 50 years Morris was senior pastor of the city’s historic First Baptist Church on North Ripley Street, the “Brick-A-Day” church that played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Era, including sheltering the Freedom Riders from a mob. He also served as chaplain of the Montgomery Police Department for more than two decades.
Morris died Sunday while surrounded by family, the city announced. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed ordered flags lowered as part of the announcement.