City officials, the Scottsboro Police Department, and residents of Jackson County are reeling following a 21-hour manhunt that took place during the last weekend of July. It all started with a domestic violence call, which quickly turned into a high-speed chase, resulting in officers being injured and an extensive search for the suspects.
The incident kicked off early Saturday morning when police in Scottsboro responded to the domestic violence report. The suspect, named Daniel McCarn, fled the scene in a vehicle, prompting police to pursue him. Around 12:49 AM, McCarn crashed at the intersection of Highway 72 and County Park Road.
After the crash, McCarn fired at the officers and reportedly injured Porch Medium, a veteran officer with 29 years of service. He was transported to Huntsville Hospital in critical condition.
Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCummie commented on how unusual and serious the situation was for the area. “We’ve had incidents before, but nothing on this scale,” he noted. “We lost an officer decades ago, but this is something we haven’t faced in recent times. It was a tough weekend.”
Police Chief Greg Godfrey expressed the emotional impact of the shooting on the police department. “In my experience, I’ve never dealt with an officer being shot. When I got that call at 1 AM, it was jarring,” he said.
While hospitalized, Porch has undergone two surgeries and is expected to recover, though doctors caution that he might face some limitations in mobility due to the injuries. Chief Godfrey mentioned visiting him in the hospital and that Porch remained in good spirits despite the circumstances.
“I rushed to the emergency room that night, and he was still full of life. You could tell he was hurt, but he somehow maintained a positive attitude. He’s an exceptional officer and a respected leader within the department,” Godfrey added.
Mayor McCummie encouraged the community to support Porch. “We care about you, and we will do everything in our power to assist you,” he said.
McCarn was arrested around 10 PM that evening and is facing charges of attempted murder. He is currently being held at the Jackson County Jail with a bond set at $10 million.
