Steven Earl Sims II, 43, a longtime law enforcement officer, died in Fultondale, Alabama on February 15, 2024. His career began with the Montgomery Police Department in 2003 and included service with the Wetumpka Police Department, the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office, the Central Alabama Drug Task Force, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, and the Elmore County Special Operations Unit. He was a deputy with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and a noted instructor. He is survived by a wife, four children, and grandchildren, and was active in his church and ministry teams.

Reports conflict about how he died. One account describes a targeted homicide, saying he was found in a residential area with signs of violent trauma and detectives canvassed the neighborhood; another account says he was found in his cruiser at a training event with a gunshot wound, an apparent suicide. As of late February 2024 no arrests had been announced and the circumstances remained unclear.

If anyone has information about Steven’s death or the events of February 15, 2024, please come forward and share what you know.