Lack of County Mental Health Officers

Most larger Alabama cities and towns require a trained mental health officer to be on call at all times. Unfortunately, this is not the case with many county law enforcement departments.

In 2003 this situation proved deadly for Lauderdale County resident Brian Long. The 46 year-old son of semi-retired surgeon Robert Long was a paranoid schizophrenic and off his meds when Dr. Long called authorities for help. Deputy Jimmie Ray Slaton Jr. responded to Dr. Long's call, leaving his patrol car door open and keys in the ignition as he approached the younger Long.

Deputy Slaton, according to Dr. Long, then approached Brian, presented handcuffs and announced that he was taking him to jail. Obviously this is not the right approach to take with a paranoid individual, but Slaton, untrained in mental health procedures, stated he was not aware of that at the time. A panicked Brian Long ran to the open patrol car, locked himself in, and proceeded to back out of the driveway. Jimmie Ray Slaton then fired three shots, not at the tires, but at Brian Long, who was killed.

Robert Long sued Lauderdale County and Jimmie Ray Slaton Jr., but his suit was later dismissed. The judge ruled that Slaton could not be expected to know mental health procedure and was attempting to prevent Long escaping into the community. One can only imagine what the judge and Slaton's superiors privately thought about such carelessness that resulted in the death of Brian Long.

Obviously all law enforcement agencies need a mental health officer. This is something for which the National Alliance for Mental Illness has long lobbied. NAMI in the Shoals is represented by Roy Skipworth (766-0306) and John Pinion (766-3966). Anyone wishing to help this organization with its fight for improved mental health laws or in need of assistance with a mentally ill family member is urged to call.


What's up with this: The Muscle Shoals intersection of Avalon and Broadway has been closed due to construction for almost a month, yet the traffic light remains functioning. Perhaps the powers that be in Muscle Shoals just want to be sure passing motorists have ample time to inspect their tax dollars at work?