Baldwin Co. deputy killed by train

ROBERTSDALE, Ala. (WALA) - A Baldwin County Sheriff's deputy is killed by a fast-moving train. The incident happened in Greene County over the weekend.

It's a bitter day at the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office. One of their own, Deputy Mike Malone, was killed over the weekend.

Dan Dollarhide was his close friend.

"He was not one to waste words, he had a quiet demeanor. Very thoughtful. Very smart. Very good at what he did," said Dollarhide.

Malone was hunting with his father near Eutaw, whichc is in west-central Alabama. Around 4:00 p.m. Sunday, he was struck by a passing train.

"It is my understanding, deputy Malone was pronounced dead at the scene," said Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Mack. He also stated that at this point, Malone's death appears to be an accident.

Mack says it's a great loss to the department.

"Mike was a law enforcement officer to the core. I have no doubt that Mike would have retired right here with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office," he said.

Sheriff Mack says the biggest question right now is why didn't Malone move out of the way of the train. That's a question Mack says no one has the answer to.

"We know that he did not heed to the warnings of the train, so obviously there is a concern as to why he did not," he added.

Deputy Malone worked in the criminal investigations division. He leaves behind a wife. Malone was 33-years-old.

"He's a person that can be relied on. And when you lose a person like that in your life. It's not easy to replace," said Dollarhide.

Statement from Sheriff's Department

Deputy Malone has worked with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office since October 2002. He came to us from the City of Mobile Police Department. Deputy Malone worked into the criminal patrol division of the sheriff's office until 2008 when he was transferred to his current position as an investigator in the criminal investigations division. Deputy Malone was also a member on the sheriff's office Emergency Response Team. The Sheriff's Office would ask that you and the people of Baldwin County pray for the Malone family and the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.