Birmingham city leaders mourn loss of beloved firefighter
This week's Birmingham City Council meeting began with a prayer for the family of firefighter Jordan Melton. He died Monday evening after police say he was shot at Fire Station 9 last Wednesday morning.
"I think it's important that we take a minute and actually not just say that our thoughts and prayers are with the family or with Birmingham Fire and Rescue," city councilor Hunter Williams explains. "But, we take a minute to think about the sacrifice, the personal sacrifice our first responders make on a day-to-day basis."
Outside of Fire Station 9 on Tuesday, there were flowers people have dropped off to show their support. The flag was flying at half-staff, as it was at all of Birmingham's fire stations. Authorities say Jordan Melton and Jamal Jones were doing morning maintenance last Wednesday when they were shot.
"I know what it means to walk those halls of ICU," Birmingham city council president Wardine Alexander said during the council meeting. "Wait and pray and hope when your child has been a victim of violence."
Some Birmingham leaders are even frustrated by the violent act.
"And it just breaks my heart that a young man died for no reason, except someone was selfish and greedy," city councilor Valerie Abbott added during the meeting. "Wanted to take his life and shut him up 鈥� God knows that they are in our thoughts and in our hearts and our prayers, but what are we going to do?"
Councilor Valerie Abbott hopes to spark change in the city, so no one else has to lose their life to senseless violence.
Councilman JT Moore said doing something starts by not living in fear and standing up for what's right.
"I guarantee you the very gentleman or person who was involved in this shooting with Brother Melton, somebody knows who he is," he said. "You know where he is, and we need to find him."
The loss of firefighter Jordan Melton is just too hard for some to put into words.
"Jordan was actually someone that I knew, that actually worked at AG Gaston Boys and Girls Club, that was down in Bessemer and worked with young people, " Moore said. "He had a track record of service to our city."
City leaders are asking for the community's continued support.
"I think that we ask that the community rally around all of our first responders," Williams points out.
The Birmingham Police Department says the accused shooter had a personal conflict with one of the firefighters. No arrests have been made. Crime Stoppers is offering a $15,000 reward. Governor Kay Ivey is offering a $10,000 reward.