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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. A Birmingham police officer who was shot in the line-of-duty more than 25 years ago has died.
It was March 22, 1995 when Officer Randy Smith and other officers were called to a 3 a.m. domestic dispute. Smith was a morning-shift patrol officer at the West Precinct of the Birmingham Police Department with seven years experience. He had already accrued several commendations when he responded to the domestic incident in which a toddler had been left inside the house with an angry gunman, AL.com reported.
Smith went inside, grabbed the child and rushed to safety. However, on his way out he encountered an unexpected form of danger. His partner, Sgt. Ronnie Hull, heard the commotion and was headed for the door when the two nearly collided and Hull’s gun discharged, according to the official police investigation.
From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM The Birmingham Police Department reports retired officer Randall Versie Smith passed away on Monday, Dec. 29, 2020.
Smith, affectionately known as “Randy,” began his career with the Birmingham Police Department on Jan. 4, 1988. On March 22, 1995, Smith, along with other officers, responded to a domestic dispute in Ensley. While responding to the call for service, Smith heroically rescued a toddler during a domestic incident involving a person with a gun.
Smith was accidentally wounded by the gunfire from a fellow officer, according to the department. Due to the injuries sustained, Smith was unable to return to duty. He medically retired from the Birmingham Police Department on Feb. 2, 1996.