Slain Pelham officer and suspect identified

Slain Pelham officer and suspect identified

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - A Pelham police officer was shot and killed while on duty on Thursday night.  

The shooting happened around 12:00 a.m. Friday on I65 North between Exits 242 and 243. 

The officer was taken by ambulance to UAB hospital with a police escort.  Authorities have now identified the officer as 33-year-old Philip Davis, who had been with Pelham for 4 1/2 years.  Davis leaves behind a wife and two small children. Before working at Pelham, Davis worked with Calera Police Department and the University of Alabama Police.

The suspect in the case has been identified as 29-year-old Bart Wayne Johnson of Kimberly.

Police say Johnson drove away erratically and dumped his gold Acura in the Inglenook community. He was caught by police in Hoover at exit 262 on U.S. 31 while in a truck.

There was a second person taken in for questioning during the Hoover arrest. Trussville Police Chief Don Sivley has confirmed that one of his officers is the brother of Bart Wayne Johnson and is being questioned by authorities.

Visitation and viewing for Officer Philip Davis will be held Monday, December 7th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the Church at Brook Hills. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 8th at 11:00am at the Church at Brook Hills.

A fund has been set up for the family of Officer Philip Davis. If you would like to donate, go to any America's First Federal Credit Union and tell them you would like to give to the Philip Davis Fund.

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