03/22/24
City of Hokes Bluff donates police vehicle to Gadsden State
Gadsden, Ala. — The City of Hokes Bluff donated a fully-equipped 2015 Ford Explorer to the Gadsden State Community College Police and Public Safety Department. The cost? One dollar.
“We want Gadsden State to be as safe as our community,” said Hokes Bluff Mayor Scott Reeves. “Hokes Bluff is among the safest cities in the state. We want to do our part to ensure that Gadsden State remains safe as well. We have children from Hokes Bluff who continue their education at Gadsden State. Their safety and security are a priority for us.”
The Hokes Bluff City Council voted to surplus the vehicle to Gadsden State for one dollar. Reeves presented the keys to Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, and Jay Freeman, chief of the Gadsden State Police and Public Safety Department on March 21. They were joined by Tyler Roe, chief of the Hokes Bluff Police Department; Sgt. Colton Harden, a member of the Gadsden State Police; and Sgt. David Bankson, also of the Gadsden State Police and a member of the Hokes Bluff City Council.
“We love the relationship we are building with Hokes Bluff,” Murphy said. “The safety and security of our students is important to us, which is why we are building a strong police department. Anyone who comes alongside us in partnership is very much appreciated.”
The Ford Explorer is already outfitted with a cage, radar, lights, sirens and other police equipment.
“We are immensely grateful to the City of Hokes Bluff for this generous gift,” Freeman said. “We thank Mayor Reeves, the City Council and Chief Roe for their extraordinary generosity and support. The Ford Explorer will play a vital role in serving all five of our campuses and supporting various Gadsden State events. We look forward to making lasting impacts that benefit our College and our community.”
The Ford Explorer is the College’s third patrol vehicle. They also have four public safety vehicles. The Police and Public Safety Department was created in June with the hiring of Freeman. He currently oversees 12 full-time and seven part-time employees. The department consists of security personnel in addition to certified law enforcement officers.
Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, presents a dollar to Hokes Bluff Chief of Police Tyler Roe in exchange for a fully-equipped Ford Explorer. Joining them are, from left, Sgt. Colton Harden, Sgt. David Bankson and Chief Jay Freeman, all of the Gadsden State Police and Public Safety Department, and Hokes Bluff Mayor Scott Reeves.
Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, and Jay Freeman, chief of the Gadsden State Police and Public Safety Department, survey the fully-equipped patrol vehicle given to the College for one dollar from the City of Hokes Bluff.