HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — UPDATE 7/3: Huntsville Police Department says the department is happy to have one of its officers back. Officer Albert Morin returned to work on light duty Monday three months after he was critically injured in a shooting while responding to a call.
The department said, "He's made great strides in his recovery".
“Thank you to the community and my coworkers for the outpouring of support. I’ve read through every card and letter you’ve sent during my recovery. I remain grateful for all the support my family and I have received,” said Morin.
His fellow responding officer, Garrett Crumby, was killed in the line of duty.
UPDATE 4/17: In a social media post by Huntsville Hospital, pictures show a smiling Officer Albert Morin, standing alongside Lt. Scott Widner and Sgt. Joe Kennington of the North Alabama Drug Task Force, who hand-delivered get-well cards made by the students of Cedar Hill Elementary.
The department says Morin continues to recover at home.
UPDATE 4/14: Officer Albert Morin was released from Huntsville Hospital Friday evening. Earlier in the day, he issued a statement through the Huntsville Police communications office. It reads:
“I can’t thank our community enough for all the get-well cards. My family and I have enjoyed reading through stacks of cards each day. I would also like to thank the local businesses and churches that have donated food to my family and fellow officers during the past two weeks. It has helped ease stress and burden during my recovery. I look forward to getting back and continuing to protect and serve my community.”
Huntsville Police said Morin will continue his recovery at home.
Our original reporting continues below:
Huntsville Police say an officer shot in the line of duty late last month is continuing well on the road to recovery. Albert Morin was critically injured in the March 28 shooting on Governors House Drive, which killed fellow responding officer Garrett Crumby.
In an update Saturday, police confirmed Morin was moved out of the surgical intensive care unit of Huntsville Hospital and into a private room. This follows a social media update posted April 4, in which Morin was seen in his hospital bed with coworkers standing at his side. Officials said he was smiling, talking with fellow officers, and enjoying get-well cards sent to his room.
Morin, who joined HPD in August 2017, is described by officers as someone who is dedicated to his day-to-day duties. In 2022, a supervisor said Morin was the most productive officer on his squad.
“Officer Morin is a shining example to the public of the quality of service that is expected to come from the Huntsville Police Department,” his supervisor said.
Morin and Crumby were responding to shots fired call in which a female victim was wounded. After allegedly shooting the officers, the suspect, identified as Juan Laws, engaged police in a short standoff before finally being arrested.
Crumby was laid to rest April 3 in his native Tuscaloosa following a memorial service in Huntsville.
Donations in Crumby's memory can be made to the Officer Garrett Crumby Memorial Foundation at any Redstone Federal Credit Union branch. The account will remain open for six months.