Action News Jax as learned an officer killed in the line of duty in Alabama has local ties to the Jacksonville area.
Officer Sean Tuder,30, grew up in Clay County and was also a former police officer with the Palatka Police Department.
Officials said he was working as a police officer in Mobile, Alabama when he and other officers were trying to arrest a suspect at an inn around 3 p.m. Sunday.
This morning our community is mourning the loss of Officer Sean Tuder. The former Palatka Police Department officer was killed in the line of duty while working in Mobile, Alabama. He was 30 years old. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/OyWZ3yeWVF
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) January 21, 2019
Police said it’s unclear who fired the shot that killed officer Tuder, but the suspect, Marco Perez, 19, has been taken into custody.
Tuder had been working for the Mobile Police Department for going on 3 years and graduated from Fleming Island High School.
A friend of Sean Tuder and current Clay County Deputy Zach Cox says the two met through mutual friends years ago.
Tuder and Cox talked about their careers in law enforcement frequently. When Cox learned of his friends passing, he had to pull over.
“It’s news you never want to receive, so I had to park my truck and take a minute," said Cox.
Cox says everyday officers like Tuder across the country are willing to risk their lives to protect their communities.
“This job is dangerous, and we know that. It’s a sacrifice we are willing to give at the extent of our lives just like Sean," said Cox.
Tuder’s family released a statement saying in part, “Sean loved his family and this country and knew this was a chance. He is our hero and a patriot.”
Sean Tuder is the 5th officer gunned down in the United States in 2019.
The Mobile Police Department set up a Memorial Fund for the family of Officer Sean Tuder. Click here for more information.
Cox Media Group
