An Alabama police lieutenant died on Monday after he was hit by a car while directing traffic at a church.

Irondale police Lt. Mark Meadows, 60, was setting out cones at an intersection outside the Church of the Highlands’ main campus when he was hit by a man driving a Chevrolet Colorado, local outlet AL.com reported. The driver immediately stopped.

The incident took place before 7 a.m. on Monday as the church’s popular “21 Days of Prayer” event, which runs from Jan. 5 to Jan. 25, was preparing to end for the day.

Meadows was taken to nearby Grandview Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, according to Irondale police.

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Irondale Mayor James Stewart Jr., described Meadows as a “treasured member” of the city’s family for decades.

“He was a man of few words but always led by example and embodied the heart of a true public servant,” Stewart said in a statement. “Lt. Meadows will be dearly missed by his brothers and sisters at the Irondale Police Department, as well as by all of our City employees and citizens. We are comforted in knowing that he is with his heavenly father, and we will continue to cover his family in prayer as they grieve this great loss.”

The police department announced that grief support is available for officers and others in need following Meadows’ death.

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Meadows was an Army veteran and had worked in law enforcement for decades when he was killed. (Irondale Police Department / Facebook)

Church of the Highlands lead pastor Chris Hodges said Meadows had worked with the church since its main campus at Grants Mill opened almost 18 years ago.

In a statement to AL.com, Hodges said “our hearts are heavy beyond measure,” adding that Meadows was considered family.

“All our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughter, son, family members, fellow officers and the many who loved him,” Hodges said. “Even in the most difficult and trying times, we know our God will provide comfort, strength and reassurance based on the promise of heaven. We as a church will do all we can to care for his family.”

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey expressed condolences to Meadows’ loved ones and church family following his death in a post on X on Monday.

“My heart is heavy as I have learned of the tragic loss of Irondale Police Lieutenant Mark Meadows, a veteran and true public servant. I join all Alabamians in lifting up his family, the Irondale Police Department and the Church of the Highlands community in prayer,” Ivey wrote.

Irondale Lt. Mark Meadows helped direct traffic at Church of the Highlands since it opened nearly 18 years ago, according to lead pastor Chris Hodges. (Irondale Police Department / Facebook)

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also said he was “saddened to hear of the loss” and thanked Meadows for his service to Alabama as a police officer and the United States as an Army veteran.

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Meadows began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the nearby Mountain Brook Police Department before transferring to Irondale.

He was an FBI instructor certified in pistol and rifle, and an NRA instructor certified in pistol, according to AL.com. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation into the deadly incident.

A man was arrested Tuesday after authorities said he sexually abused a child two years ago at a daycare run out of a private home in north Alabama.

Kevin Dewayne Franklin, 50, was charged with first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse of a child less than 12, according to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

Franklin is being held without bond in the Marshall County jail pending an Aniah’s Law hearing.

Deputies finished their investigation into Franklin in October 2023 following allegations he sexually abused a child at a daycare in a private home in the Nixon Chapel community.

Franklin was related to the owner of the daycare, who also lived at the home.

The daycare has since closed, authorities said.

The Marshall County District Attorney’s Office along with sheriff’s office investigators presented the case to a grand jury in November.

Franklin was arrested Tuesday by patrol deputies.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey offered her congratulations to the new Miss America, Abbie Stockard, in social media posts this week. Stockard, who competed for the national title as Miss Alabama, won the national crown on Sunday, Jan. 5, in Orlando, Florida.

“Our very own Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard, has won the title of Miss America!” Ivey said in a Sunday night post on X (formerly Twitter). “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Abbie, and I know firsthand what an outstanding young woman she is. She is incredibly deserving of this honor. Congratulations, Abbie!”

Ivey also trumpeted Stockard’s win with the same message in an Instagram reel and Facebook story.

Stockard, who grew up in Vestavia Hills, is the fourth Miss Alabama to become Miss America and the first Miss America from Alabama in 20 years. She’s following in the footsteps of previous winners Deidre Downs, Miss America 2005; Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995; and Yolande Betbeze, Miss America 1951.

READ: Who is Abbie Stockard? Miss America 2025 is the fourth winner from Alabama

Ivey and Stockard share a kinship as sorority sisters, through Auburn University and Alpha Gamma Delta. Stockard, 22, is a nursing student at Auburn University and a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. Ivey, 80, an Auburn alum, pledged the sorority in the 1960s.

Stockard traveled to Montgomery to meet Alabama’s governor in October 2024, about four months after her win as Miss Alabama. “What an honor it was to meet with Alabama’s Governor, Kay Ivey!” Stockard said in an Instagram post. “We had a wonderful time discussing my work for Cystic Fibrosis advocacy across the state and giving a glimpse into the next few months as I prepare for Miss America!”

Stockard’s philanthropic platform as Miss Alabama, and now as Miss America, is Be the Change: Find a Cure — Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.

Another Miss Alabama winner with Auburn ties, Lauren Bradford, met Ivey in Montgomery after her win in the state pageant. Bradford, Miss Alabama 2021, is an Auburn University alum and a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. She was named first runner-up at Miss America 2022.

“I had a great visit with Miss Alabama 2021 Lauren Bradford today discussing her historic win as the 100th Miss Alabama, our @auburnalphagam sisterhood, our beloved @auburnu & most importantly #COVID19 vaccinations,” Ivey said in an Instagram post on Aug. 5, 2021. She and Bradford can be seen in a video clip saying, “Get vaccinated, Alabama!”

The Miss Alabama organization posted about Bradford’s meeting with Ivey on Facebook, saying “Thank you, Governor Ivey, for your hospitality.”