HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A candlelight vigil was held Sunday evening for fallen Huntsville Police Officer Billy Clardy III. The vigil was at the Fallen Officers Memorial located in front of HPD headquarters on Wheeler Ave. in Huntsville.
Locals came to the vigil and laid wreaths and flowers at the base of the “Fallen Officers” memorial in honor of the life of Officer Billy Clardy III. Locals spoke to our reporter and said they’ll be holding him really close in their memories for a long time to come.
The city of Huntsville came together for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Officer Billy Clardy III, who was shot and killed Friday evening. Officer Clardy was a well decorated officer and a 14-year Huntsville PD veteran– receiving 19 commendations, and 8 letters of appreciation just during his time in Huntsville.
Mayor Tommy Battle spoke on Officer Clardy’s passion for the needs of the homeless in the community, and discussed the outpour of support the city has shown in the wake of his passing. Mayor Battle says, “What we’ve seen from this tragedy is something that makes our community also very proud. We’ve seen a community that comes out– that supports our law enforcement.”
Officer Clardy’s father, Bill Clardy Jr., was also a Huntsville Police Officer. He, too, was killed on duty in 1978 in a vehicle crash. His name is etched in the memorial of fallen officers in front of Huntsville Police Department. We’re told by Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray, Officer Billy Clardy III’s name will be added alongside his father’s.
Officer Clardy was killed in the line of duty Friday, Dec. 6.
The vigil was open to the public.
A funeral for Officer Clardy will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Mayfair Church of Christ located at 1095 Carl T Jones Dr in Huntsville. A public viewing will be held from noon until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, with the service to follow.