Alabama Sheriff Amends Policy, Allowing Deputies to Drive to Church in Patrol Vehicles

Sheriff Rick Singleton has amended the policy of the Lauderdale County (AL) Sheriff's Office regarding off-duty use of agency vehicles, now allowing deputies to drive to church in their squad cars.

According to the Times Daily , Sheriff Rick Singleton made the decision to allow this because of a rash of active shooter incidents in houses of worship, most recently during a service at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas that left two paritioners dead.

An armed citizen ended that attack within six seconds, shooting and killing the gunman.

"This will get that same visual impact that you have with school resource officers parking in the parking lot of schools," Singleton said. "It might serve as a deterrent if someone approaches a church. I think some of the other area departments will allow that, too."

Singleton added, "It's optional. They don't have to do it."