Media Release 18
Officer Involved Shooting Investigation / Robbery
The Birmingham Police Department reports that an officer involved shooting investigation is underway. On Sunday, January 26, 2020, at 9:22 a.m. an off-duty uniformed officer was working an extra security detail in the 5600 block of Georgia Road.
While outside the officer observed a suspect vehicle believed to be involved in a recently reported robbery near his location. The officer confronted the suspects in the 5400 block of Georgia Road and gunfire was exchanged between the officer and suspect. During the exchange the officer was struck by gunfire and seriously injured.
The suspects managed to escape the location by fleeing in the suspect’s vehicle. Additional officers were called to the area to search for the suspect, but the suspects were not located in the immediate area. Upon relaying the suspect information to responding police personnel and utilizing additional resources, the suspects were located in the 2200 block of Bessemer Road. Two black male suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Responding officers located property that was reported taken during the robbery along with a handgun.
Suspect information will be released pending completion of warrant procedures but one suspect is 16 years old and the second suspect is 25. The 16 year old is believed to be the shooter.
The injured BPD officer has been identified as:
John Finke, W/M, 46 years old. Detective Finke has 14 years of service with the Birmingham Police Department. John Finke is a Narcotics detective.
Detective Finke remains in serious condition and has undergone surgery.
The officer involved shooting investigation will be conducted by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, please contact the B.P.D. Robbery/Homicide Unit @ 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 205-254-7777.
Additional updates will be released as they become available.
A photo of Detective Finke is attached.
click to print
