PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – An Alabama police chief says Garry Chapman, son of reality TV star Dog the Bounty Hunter, is no longer employed by the department after a deadly police chase last month.
Chapman was initially put on leave after the crash, which left a 17-year-old dead and five other people injured.
Priceville Police Chief Jerry Holmes has since confirmed Chapman is no longer employed by the department.
Speaking to Nexstar’s WHNT over the phone on Sept. 9, Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin said that Chapman had been placed on administrative leave after the chase, which was initiated on Interstate 65. Priceville Police said the chase began when an officer attempted to stop the suspect for moving violations and suspicion of driving under the influence.
The ensuing chase continued into nearby Hartselle, where police say the suspect vehicle struck another vehicle carrying four teenage boys. Six people were taken to the hospital, police said: the suspect, his passenger, and four boys riding in the vehicle that was struck. One of those teens was 17-year-old Tristan Hollis, who died as a result of the incident, Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn confirmed.
Priceville Police later confirmed that the officer involved, Chapman, had been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure after a major incident, as an internal investigation was conducted. Chapman’s social media, reviewed by WHNT, shows he is the son of Duane Chapman — star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” — and Beth Chapman, who died of throat cancer in 2019.
Chapman’s attorney, Scott Morro, confirmed to WHNT that Chapman had been terminated by Priceville Police, a decision that was upheld by Heflin. Morro said Chapman is appealing the decision and will have a hearing on October 13, following the city council meeting. There, the council will hear his case.
Morro reached out to WHNT with a statement on Chapman’s firing: “Garry Chapman is an excellent police officer who has made several cases for the City of Priceville, and he is their top police officer even though he has only been there a short period of time.”
Chapman had previously been featured on the Priceville Police Department’s social media as recently as April.
Morro said Chapman’s case is legally and factually sound.
“The fact and the law are on Garry Chapman’s side,” he said, adding that it is not lost on Chapman that this situation is a tragedy.
No additional details as to why Chapman was terminated were provided.
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