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After 45 years, Jerry Hayes ready to spend more time with family

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — When Jerry Hayes first arrived at News 19 in 1979, Huntsville wasn’t meant to be home.

“In all honesty, I planned to stay here a couple of years and then try to move back to Nashville or go to a bigger market,” he said.

Jerry’s daughters, Megan and Leigh, visiting him in the News 19 studio in 2004 (Courtesy: Jerry Hayes)

But as time passed, he grew more comfortable in the Tennessee Valley.

“I had job inquiries that I could have taken and had shown some interest in,” he said, “but I stayed here and planted my feet and my roots here.”

Jerry’s bond to north Alabama was fortified following the birth of his daughters, Leigh and Megan. But as Jerry became a mainstay in our homes anchoring the 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. newscasts, he also knows he wasn’t always present for them.

“This business is tough on families,” he said. “I remember years ago when Leigh was playing volleyball and Megan was cheering, I would take a half-day of vacation just so I could go watch them, not going to have to do that with the grandkids. But I couldn’t be there every time and as they’ve gotten older, they’ve said, ‘Dad, it’s OK, you were working, that was your job. You were doing what you needed to do.’ But I have regrets about not being there for every ballgame, every volleyball match.”

His growing family is why after 45 years, Jerry is ready to retire.

Jerry’s parents, Bill and Katherine Hayes, in 1983 (Courtesy: Jerry Hayes)

“It’s a tiring business,” he said. “After a while, it weighs on you.”

His family is always close to his heart, literally. During every newscast throughout his career, Jerry has worn a white handkerchief in his suit jacket’s left breast pocket.

“I do it to honor my dad’s memory,” he said. “He wore one every time he wore a suit. Bill Hayes had a white handkerchief in his coat, so that’s why. I’ve got his cufflinks on today. Dad died in 1988 and I knew how proud he and mom were of me then, but I would love to see what he would say now, 45 years in the same job.”

A job that gave him a front-row seat to history.

“I hope people realized how much I loved my job,” he said, “and that’s one reason I’ve stayed in it as long as I have.”

Jerry spent 45 years telling your stories.

“That’s what it’s all about, when you make a difference and people recognize that,” he said, “to me, that’s bigger than any award you can get.”

Jerry with his growing family at Christmas in 2023 (Courtesy: Jerry Hayes)

In his four-and-a-half decades of service to our community, Jerry has won dozens of awards, including two Regional Emmys and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award. He was also inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle, but it’s time for him to slow down.

“I’m not going to miss the day-to-day grind and the speed at which you have to do things,” he said. “Sometimes that can be exciting and sometimes it can be a heavy burden on you, but I’m going to miss the people around here more than anything.”

Jerry’s last day on the anchor desk is Tuesday, March 26. We hope you will join us that night for News 19 at 6:30 as we reflect on his impact on the Tennessee Valley.

Jerry will also celebrate his 70th birthday on Saturday, March 30. Then, his next big assignment is to give away his youngest daughter, Megan, at her wedding in May.



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Alabama News

Fallen HPD Officer Garrett Crumby honored at National Memorial

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) — Fallen Huntsville Police Officer Garrett Crumby was honored in Washington D.C. this week as part of National Police Week.

The City of Huntsville said representatives from the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) joined law enforcement officers from around the country in honoring fallen officers at the annual observance of National Police Week.

Officer Crumby was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 28, 2023, while responding to a shooting call at an apartment complex off Governors House Drive in Huntsville. He served with HPD for three years and had previously served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for eight years.

His name has now been etched on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial joining thousands of other officers who died in the line of duty.

On Monday, representatives from HPD attended the 36th annual candlelight vigil on the National Mall. At the vigil, the names of fallen officers including Crumby were read aloud to honor their memory. HPD Honor Guard members also participated in cordons that the families of fallen officers walked through while taking their seats.

On Wednesday, the city said officers also participated in the Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, where the HPD Honor Guard stood watch for the fallen at the memorial.

Chief Kirk Giles said National Police Weeks serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by officers around the country.

“It was important for me and other members of HPD to be there to honor Officer Crumby,” Chief Kirk Giles said. “National Police Week serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement family. It’s a humbling experience to stand among colleagues, honoring the heroes who gave their all serving their communities.”



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Gag order hearing Friday in Mac Marquette murder case, DA wants video leak source

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DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — A hearing is set for Friday in the battle over a gag order in the Mac Bailey Marquette murder case.

The former Decatur police officer is charged with the on-duty shooting death of Stephen Perkins in September 2023.

Prosecutors say the case needs a permanent gag order to ensure a fair trial, but not everyone in the case agrees. Marquette’s attorneys have filed a motion opposing the gag order. Lawyers for the City of Decatur say multiple Decatur police officers who’ve been subpoenaed should not be compelled to testify.

As of Thursday afternoon Morgan County Circuit Judge Charles Elliott had not ruled on Decatur’s motion to quash the police subpoenas.

The hearing is set for 1:30 p.m., Friday.

A temporary gag order is in place and Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson is asking the court to make it permanent. Anderson has subpoenaed at least 17 law enforcement witnesses. Anderson says the subpoenas are necessary to help identify who leaked a video copy of police cam footage from the night of the shooting.

Lawyers for the Decatur Police Department’s command staff submitted 11 affidavits to the court from the officers saying they did not release the video, and that they understood the video’s release had been announced before the temporary gag order was issued.

Marquette’s lawyers argue a permanent gag order barring all out-of-court statements and public discussion of the case would hamper his defense.

Attorneys for the City of Decatur also argue public safety could be compromised if the police department’s command staff is in court at the same time Decatur is hosting its Third Friday event.

Decatur City Councilman Hunter Pepper has also been subpoenaed.

Court records show an October and November start date for Marquette’s murder trial, but it appears the trial is set for Nov. 18.



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Alabama News

Alabama News Center — Birmingham, Alabama’s, FBI equips Miles College Police with tactical vests

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By: Barnett Wright

FBI Birmingham recently equipped Miles College police officers with legacy body armor designed to provide underfunded departments with effective equipment as another level of protection.

Carlton Peeples, FBI special agent in charge, Birmingham Field Office, said Miles College law enforcement officers are “now equipped with one more tool to keep them safe as they work to keep the students, faculty and members of the Birmingham community safe.”

Miles College President Bobbie Knight said the equipment “will greatly enhance our ability to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. … The tactical vests will be a key resource in our efforts to protect our campus community.”

The Alabama Weather Blog is pleased to present an excerpt from a featured article in partnership with the Alabama News Center. For the full post including images, videos, and related links, please visit the article HERE.



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