Police Reports

Wetumpka Police Departmen

DEC. 4

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

DEC. 2

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

Tallassee Police Department

DEC. 7

• A suspicious person was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Highway 229.

• Trespassing was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• A suspicious person was reported on North Ashurst Drive.

• A white male was arrested on Thelma Drive.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Friendship Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

DEC. 6

• Theft was reported on Lee Street.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A domestic incident was reported on Little Road.

• A vehicle accident was re-

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• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Notasulga Road.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• Animal control was requested on Sims Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Highway 229.

• A suicidal subject was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Sims Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was requested on Notasulga Road.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Friendship Road.

DEC. 5

• Gunfire was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Central Boulevard.

• Criminal trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A child custody dispute was reported on Rivernolle Road.

DEC. 4

• A domestic incident was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A juvenile complaint was filed on Second Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• An assault was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the his girlfriend and said ‘I just wrecked and I’m stuck.’”

Teresa said nearby homeowners and passers by stopped to try to help Gardner.

“Next thing you know the truck is on fire,” Teresa said. “He was awake, asking people to get him out. He should have lived. The first responders were just a few minutes late. I will go to my grave to get laws passed for fire extinguishers in first responder vehicles and cars.”

Teresa said a law enforcement officer arrived before firefighters and tried to help get Gardner out.

“Gardner was talking to him,” she said. “He dropped his ammo because it was a hot fire. He was saying, ‘Get me out of here, get me out of here.’”

Teresa said she has asked for the details of Gardner’s death from people at the scene of Gardner’s accident.

“As a mom I wanted to know my child’s last moments,” Teresa said. “It’s kind of like, you can’t help but you want to know what your child went through. It was a horrible death. I’m so angry. This could have been prevented.”

Teresa said no one had the ability to push back or put out the fire until firefighters arrived.

“No one had a fire extinguisher,” Teresa said.

Teresa is now on a mission to honor the memory of Gardner and try to prevent another parent going through what she has gone through.

“There were about four people who pulled over and tried to help him,” Teresa said. “No one had a fire extinguisher. If someone had a fire extinguisher in their car, he would have been alive today. There are 300 to 500 people a year that die from automobile fires.”

Teresa said a lot of vehicles already have fire extinguishers in them but she wants it to be a requirement.

“I want a law passed that they have to be in first responder vehicles,” Teresa said. “I want a law passed that auto manufacturers have to have them in cars. Why is it that hard when dump trucks have to have them? Boats come with them. RVs come with them. They tell you to put them in your homes. You have to have them in businesses. If an RV comes standard with them, it’s not hard for the auto industry.” roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

Teresa said she has started to contact lawmakers and understands it’s a process to get things through. But she isn’t letting the lawmaking process slow her efforts.

Gardner’s obituary made note of Teresa’s fire extinguisher program. She established an account to purchase fire extinguishers capable of putting out fires in automobiles that involve electronics and fuel.

• Harassment was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Assistance was given to the Tallassee Fire Department on West Gantts Mill Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Notasulga Road.

• A verbal altercation was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

DEC. 3

• Theft was reported on Monroe Street.

• A white female was arrested during a domestic incident on Riverside Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Eubanks Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Indian Trail.

• Theft was reported on North Ann Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Redden Avenue.

• Menacing was reported on James Street.

• Reckless Driving was reported on Central Boulevard.

DEC. 2

• A verbal altercation was reported on Friendship Road.

• A citizen inquiry was con-

“It’s the Gardner Cameron Fire Extinguisher Fund at River Bank & Trust,” Teresa said. “People can make a donation in honor of someone.”

Teresa owns Kowaliga General Store between Eclectic and Lake Martin and believes Gardner’s death is moving those in other states to take action.

“The people at Lake Martin have been outstanding,” Teresa said. “These are Birmingham and Atlanta people too. So it’s getting beyond just this area.”

Teresa said she has placed more than 100 fire extinguishers with people since Gardner’s death but believes far more have been placed in hearing the story.

“I feel since Gardner’s passing there have been 100s of fire extinguishers placed in vehicles just from people telling people,” Teresa said. “I have heard people say they are giving their family fire extinguishers for Christmas.” fine with indi viduals taking care of their family and ducted on East Patton Street. friends without seeking her help to get a fire extinguisher.

• A welfare check was conducted on Redden Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Main Street.

• A traffic accident with injury was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Suspicious activity was reported at Quail Run Apartments.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Freeman Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on King Street.

• Stolen property was reported on Rednose Rock Drive.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• Gunfire was reported on Third Avenue.

• A prowler was reported on Third Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Highway 229.

• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• Criminal mischief was reported on South Dubois Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was reported on King Street.

• A stolen vehicle was reported on Main Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on South Tallassee Drive.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

“Just tell me you bought and shared fire extinguishers,” Teresa said. “I want to see I’m making a difference.”

Between the vigil and funeral service for Gardner, Teresa said she knew her son touched many, especially fellow students. It’s those students she wants to help first before nagging lawmakers to require fire extinguishers in more vehicles.

“I would love to be able to donate one to every student at Elmore County High School that is driving, but we don’t have those kinds of funds,” Teresa said. “But my work is just beginning on this. I will carry this project on to my grave to help prevent another parent living through what I am.”