Officer Garrett Crumby leaves legacy, friends and colleagues say at funeral

Hundreds gathered Monday morning at Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville to honor the life of Officer Garrett Crumby, a former member of the Tuscaloosa Police Department who was killed last week in the line of duty.

Friends, family, community members and law enforcement officers from across West Alabama and Huntsville, where Crumby served with the Huntsville Police Department, joined Monday's service to pay their respects to Crumby.

"There are not enough words we could use to fully describe Garrett, his work ethic, his kindness, thoughtfulness, and his drive to help others," Deputy Chief Scott Hudson of the Huntsville Police Department said during the service.

After the ceremony, a procession led Crumby's body for burial at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, 5434 Old Birmingham Highway.

Crumby was praised by his fellow officers for his heroic actions on March 28, when he and another officer responded to the report of a shooting. Family and friends described Crumby as a humble, kind and self-less person.

Hudson, who read Crumby's obituary during Monday's service, said that it was unfortunate that many people will learn about Crumby only through his death.

"His life had much more meaning than the words in an obituary. His police service of 10 years in two different communities in this state can continue to impact us all," he said.

More: 'We are heartbroken': Tuscaloosa leaders mourn death of Huntsville police officer

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle thanked Crumby for his service both on- and off-duty and said he was someone who has given the "ultimate sacrifice" for the community.

"Garrett Crumby stood in front of me two-and-a-half years ago, he raised his right hand and he swore to protect and to serve this community after doing the same in Tuscaloosa for six years. And as he swore to protect and serve this community, he did it on a 24-hour basis. He did it during his time that he worked [and] did it during his time that he was able to give back to this community," Battle said during Monday's service.

Courtney Crumby, one of Cumby's three sisters, shared a story from the late officer's childhood of how he often dressed in a Batman costume and was "fully committed" to the character's heroic nature.

"I want to say that without a doubt, he was really a true hero. And he was always destined to be one. He really did have plans to save us all. From what, at that age, I don't know," she said.

Crumby, 36, died after he was shot by a man who barricaded himself in a Huntsville apartment. The other officer, Albert Morin, was also struck by gunfire and remains in the hospital in serious condition, but is expected to survive, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor told the Associated Press.

Jail records show that Juan Robert Laws, 24, was arrested by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and booked into the Madison County Jail on a charge of capital murder of a law enforcement officer. He was being held without bond.

Crumby was born in Starkville, Mississippi, on Aug. 4, 1986. He was raised in Tuscaloosa and was a 2004 graduate of Hillcrest High School. He served the Tuscaloosa Police Department for eight years as a patrol and field training officer. He worked at TPD from November 2013 until accepting the job with Huntsville Police Department in August 2020. He worked for HPD's west precinct and was known by fellow officers for his positive attitude and willingness to learn.

One passage in Crumby's online obituary summed up the dedication he had to his profession:

"In policing, officers often tell others they got their six, meaning they would always be there. Garrett represented that statement by showing up even when not called to respond. Garrett left a lasting impression on both Huntsville and Tuscaloosa police and their communities."

Crumby is survived by his wife, Taylor Campbell Crumby; father, William R. Crumby; mother, Janet Sherman; grandparents James and Sammi Sherman; sisters Jennifer Crumby, Courtney Crumby and Casey Wright (David) and 10 nieces and nephews.

Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Officer Garrett Crumby remembered for work ethic, kindness for others