Oneonta PD issue updated statement on status of officer shot
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Authorities have identified the man who was killed during a standoff with Oneonta police Monday.
Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon said the Oneonta police chief received a call that an unfamiliar person was knocking on doors in the Sand Valley Community. When police arrived on the scene, the suspect, now identified as John Joseph Hampton, 32, ran and he was chased him into a wooded area on Sand Valley Road. Hampton was then tased before he started a fight with officers.
A brief standoff in the woods began. The suspect showed he had a gun and shots were exchanged. Hampton was shot and killed.
“In the world we live in, I want to say this, Law enforcement does not want to hurt people. Across the country law enforcement has taken a bad rap because of a few people that put a scar on the profession. When we come to work the last thing we want to do is hurt people, we want to save lives, protecting people, serve our community,” said Sheriff Moon.
An Oneonta officer was shot in the leg and is expected to survive.
The officer was airlifted to UAB where he had surgery. Police say the officer will need more surgery on his road to recovery.
Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the Blount County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the Oneonta Police Department: A private party has set up a donations account for this injured officer. The account is at Hometown Bank located at 2002 2nd Ave. Oneonta, AL 35121. For those of you that have already inquired about this and have the means to donate, you can contact Hometown Bank and they can assist you with any donation.
Thanksgiving Day, the Oneonta Police Department released an updated statement on the police officer who was shot, saying that he had undergone a second surgery.
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