PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — News 19 has obtained the personnel file of former Priceville police officer Garry Chapman. The file includes his history with the department: his employment paperwork, training certificates and much more.
The former officer, was involved in a police chase that ended in a deadly crash in Hartselle. The chase ended in a crash when Archie Hale, the suspect Chapman was chasing, hit another vehicle carrying 17-year-old Tristan Hollis and three other teenagers. Hollis died in the crash, and the three others where taken to the hospital.
Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin and police chief Jerry Holmes met with Chapman on September 19 for a hearing. During that hearing, Heflin determined Chapman had violated the department’s chase policy.
On September 6, Chapman started the chase on I-65 in Priceville because he believed Archie Hale was driving under the influence. He turned on his lights and sirens and notified dispatch. The certification of findings said Hale ran a stop sign and almost hit another car. He also temporarily drove off the road.
Chapman continued chasing Hale into downtown Hartselle on Highway 36, with speeds at one point reaching 100 miles per hour. The department specifically highlights this part of the chase as in violation of the department’s policy, saying Chapman should have re-evaluated if the chase should continue.
That policy said officers are responsible for making sure people in the area of the chase are safe. In the hearing, Heflin found that Chapman did not consider how much traffic was in the area. Chapman also told the department he was not familiar with that part of Hartselle, which should have been a reason to stop the chase, according to department policy.
The mayor’s findings said Chapman had not expressed remorse, and he felt that if given the opportunity, Chapman would initiate a risky chase again in the future.
Chapman was hired by the department on January 28, 2025 and fired on September 22, 2025. On the day of his firing, he sent an appeal to Mayor Heflin. Chapman has an appeal hearing in front of the city council scheduled for October 13.
Through an investigation of Chapman’s social media, News 19 has learned that Chapman is the son of Duane Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter. Chapman has also previously been featured on the Priceville Police Department’s social media as recently as April.
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