Ex-Alabama officer dies after fall; was shot on duty in 1995

VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – A man who retired from an Alabama police department after being accidentally shot 25 years ago in the head while on duty has died after a fall at his home.

Decreased mobility caused by trauma from the bullet wound contributed to Randall Versie Smith’s fall, Jefferson County Coroner Bill Yates told WSFA-TV. Smith fell at his home in Vestavia Hills, a suburb southeast of Birmingham, and was taken to a hospital where he died Tuesday.

Smith was working for the Birmingham Police Department when he was shot in 1995. The department said a memorial service will be held Saturday.

On March 22, 1995, Smith and other officers responded to a domestic dispute involving someone with a gun in Ensley, and Smith rescued a toddler. During that incident, another officer accidentally shot Smith.

Smith was unable to return to service and took medical retirement in early 1996.