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After a tragic car accident involving LaFayette High students, Chambers County Sheriff Jeff Nelson commended the LaFayette Police Department officers at the LaFayette city council meeting. 

“We had a tragedy strike in this area,” Nelson said during the meeting. 

Three LaFayette students were involved in a single-vehicle accident. One of them, a 16-year-old passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene. Though the accident was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and CCSO, Nelson said LaFayette police officers were the first to respond. 

“When I got to the scene, your officers were out there taking care of the family. They’re out there comforting them,” Nelson said. “They were doing everything they could. Your fire and EMS were out there preparing to recover the young man from the crash. And I was extremely impressed with how they handled the public out there and were compassionate to them.”

Nelson thanked the officers, firefighters and EMS for their assistance covering the scene, comforting the family and handling the public. 

“A lot of folks don’t understand, but it touches us too. You’re not supposed to put children in the grave. It’s not supposed to happen, and it hurts us just as much as it hurts everyone else,” Nelson said. “And for these men and women to get out there and do what they did, show the compassion they showed, and be able to have the relationships with the community that the police department has, it is something to be proud of.”

After the public comments and comments from city officials, the council moved on to other city business. 

The city council approved a proclamation for the 29th annual LaFayette Day event to be held on April 12. The event, which raises funding for the Valley Haven School, will include a car show, craft booths, food trucks and musical entertainment.

The mayor and city council made a motion to purchase a new pick-up truck for the LaFayette Fire Department. Fire Chief Jim Doody said the truck will be used for storm debris pickup, transportation and other department business. 

Brad Shaver, owner of Estate Masters Tree and Land, also offered his tree limb cutting and grinding services to the city of LaFayette during the meeting. The city council did not make a motion on the discussion.