Chief talks about attack on Officer Steven Green

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Thursday, Mobile Police Chief Micheal T. Williams told Fox10 News he believes Officer Steven Green was killed with a three inch knife. And, that his killer - Lawrence Wallace, Jr. had a handcuff key.

Last Friday, February 3, 2012, Officer Steven Green was transporting Robbery and Arson suspect Lawrence Wallace, Jr. from Mobile Police Headquarters to the Mobile Metro Jail.

During the walk from headquarters to the patrol car, Wallace was very outspoken and drew attention to a diamond shaped medallion around his neck. Many people speculated that medallion was the murder weapon. But, Chief Williams said it’s what Wallace was hiding that led to Officer Green’s death.

Chief Williams said Wallace was killed in a standoff with police. Officers say they found a handcuff key hidden in Wallace's shoe. They also found what is believed to be the murder weapon - a three inch knife inside the patrol car.

"We may never know where that weapon was concealed," Chief Williams said.

Chief Williams said they believe Wallace unlocked his handcuffs and armed himself during the ride from headquarters to Metro Jail.

In the sally port at Metro Jail, Wallace pretended to be restrained. When Officer Green realized he was free, Chief Williams said it was too late.

"The officer reached for his left hand to re-handcuff him and at that point Wallace used the edged weapon and he stabbed the officer,” explained Chief Williams.

Chief Williams said in a matter of seconds, Wallace had killed Green and fled in his patrol car.

"He had access to every weapon inside of that car in addition to the police radio," Chief Williams explained.

Chief Williams said he believes Wallace used the police radio to listen as officers chased him to Daytona Drive.

After ditching the car, Chief Williams said Wallace fired several shots at officers and crawled under a house. Chief Williams said they did everything they could to get him to surrender.

"Ultimately, we sent in a number of tactical officers who still again tried to get him to surrender. He fired shots at those officers, and they returned fire. And Wallace was consequently dead," Chief Williams said.

The Chief wouldn’t say how many times Wallace was shot.

Chief Williams also refused to speculate on what led to Wallace’s actions and if they were premeditated.

"It calls for speculation from our point. But if you read between the lines, normal people don’t carry handcuff keys,” Chief Williams said.

The Chief said the procedure for searching a suspect is a pat down. The suspect is not strip searched until they are at Mobile Metro Jail.

Chief Williams said handcuffs and a seatbelt are used as restraints in a patrol car.

Chief Williams said this tragedy is causing the department to look at these procedures and possibly make changes.