Podcast Summary

Podcast: Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories
Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: J. Packey "Packy" Dempsey, Retired Alabama Police Officer
Episode Title: Fatal Police Shooting Caught On A Camera He Bought
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the harrowing true story of J. Packey "Packy" Dempsey, a retired Alabama police officer, who found himself at the epicenter of a fatal police shooting in 1994. Using a camera he purchased himself (before bodycams were standard), Dempsey’s experience not only illuminates the split-second life-and-death decisions police officers must make, but also the profound personal and professional consequences that follow. The discussion extends to Dempsey’s battle with PTSD, departmental and community backlash, finding resilience, and ultimately, his journey toward healing and advocacy through his upcoming book, "Fastest 4 Seconds".

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Incident: Setting and Immediate Action

• Backdrop: High-crime, former Air Force Base-turned-projects area with rampant drug, gambling, and drinking issues ([05:57]).

• Self-bought Camera: Dempsey activated an $800 camera purchased from Sears before approaching group ([09:28])—a prescient move that later provided vital evidence.

  • “That was pre-camera days.” – J. Packey Dempsey ([09:28])

• Confrontation: Attempted to pat down a suspect for crack cocaine; patted suspect facing him—a mistake that escalated events ([13:38]).

  • “That was the first mistake I made.” – J. Packey Dempsey ([13:38])

• Struggle and Shooting:

  • Suspect fought Dempsey, gained control of his firearm, attempted to shoot him at point-blank range, but the gun jammed ([07:45]).
    • “He put the trigger to my head ... pulled the trigger. It didn’t go off. It was stovepiped. I did not know that.” – J. Packey Dempsey ([07:21])
  • Dempsey retrieved backup weapon, fired five rounds center mass, believing only two shot ([08:16]).
    • “It took me four seconds to realize I have to apply deadly force.” – J. Packey Dempsey ([08:16])

2. Video Evidence and Legal Aftermath

• Camera Footage Crucial: Personal video cleared Dempsey in the first and second grand jury hearings ([09:44], [23:13]).
  • “Did that provide the evidence that kept you from being indicted...?”
    “Yes, sir, it did. That and a really good investigative team.” – Dempsey ([09:44])
• Grand Jury Votes: First grand jury deadlocked, second cleared him, yet almost a year on leave ([05:11], [16:03], [15:53]).
• Suspect’s Background: Initially appeared a minor offense (drugs/gambling); later revealed suspect was a murder suspect with multiple indictments ([18:47]).
  • “Unbeknownst to me, the suspect had two grand jury indictments... they suspected him in other murders.” – Dempsey ([18:47])

3. Aftermath: Professional and Personal Impact

• Administrative Leave: Isolated from department and unable to work detail—“persona non grata” at his own agency ([26:27]).

  • “I sat at home... I was not allowed at the sheriff’s office or to wear uniform.” – Dempsey ([26:24])

• Media & Community Backlash: Faced lawsuits, threats, negative press, and familial stress; decision to leave hometown and department was spurred by safety and public hostility ([28:32]).

  • “Because of the color of my skin... getting complaints, sued, and threats on my family.” – Dempsey ([28:32])

• Family Relocation: Moved to Orange Beach, AL, to work as a firearms instructor and start anew; uprooted family, children, and social ties ([34:45], [35:00]).

  • “Hey, baby... we’re moving to the beach, huh?” – Dempsey ([29:51])

4. Trauma, PTSD, and the Long Road to Healing

• Emotional Fallout: Depicts overwhelming guilt, anger, and intrusive memories—particularly the suspect dying in his arms ([24:08], [24:17], [35:59]).

  • “I feel that I took a life and he made those bad—he made me make that decision, which angered me.” – Dempsey ([24:29])
  • “Couldn’t take the blood on my hands in the last breath... I would do anything to get it off my mind.” – Dempsey ([35:59])

• Coping Mechanisms: Slipped into unhealthy behaviors—alcohol abuse, pornography, overspending, compulsive behaviors—to numb trauma ([35:59]).

  • “Drink, pornography... anything to make it stop.” – Dempsey ([35:59])

• Turning Point: Loved ones intervene; wife’s ultimatum catalyzes engagement with therapy and faith-based practices ([37:06]).

  • “You will quit drinking, you will see this counselor, and you will take this medication, or we’re gone.” – Dempsey ([37:06])
  • “I put pennies in the jar every day, do my Bible lesson, contact five of my closest friends...before 5:00 a.m.” – Dempsey ([38:25])

5. Reflections on Policing, Regret, and Transformation

• Rapid Escalation in Policing: Both host and guest reflect on how quickly deadly incidents occur (“the fastest four seconds”), and how TV dramatizations are misleading ([34:00]).

  • “Most shootings are over and done with within, like, five seconds.” – Wiley ([34:25])

• Regret and Responsibility: Dempsey acknowledges errors—complacency, overreliance on canine backup, underestimating planning of suspects ([14:18], [14:35]).

  • “Complacent. Something I dealt with day in, day out, and I got too comfortable.” – Dempsey ([14:18])

• Advice for Officers: Advocates for proactive trauma therapy, learning from senior officers’ mistakes, and honesty about mental health ([40:05], [40:31]).

  • “Get yourself a trauma-informed therapist. Be proactive. Don’t wait until the bad stuff happens.” – Wiley ([40:05])

• Transformation Through Faith and Support: Recovery and current advocacy rooted in Christian faith, accountability networks, routine, and service to others ([38:25], [39:03]).

6. Giving Back: The Book & Advocacy

• Authorship and Speaker Role: Dempsey shares that writing "Fastest 4 Seconds" was healing and hopes it will inform officers and the public about the realities of critical incidents ([39:31], [40:56]).
  • “People...they want to hear the real deal.” – Dempsey ([39:31])
  • Book still in progress, based on 15 years of documentation, launching soon ([40:56]).
• Open for Contact: Dempsey welcomes connections and speaking engagements through his website ([41:57]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Deadly Force:
  “It took me about four seconds to make the transition and apply deadly force.”
  — J. Packey Dempsey ([34:00])

• On the Suspect’s Mindset:
  “He didn’t—he wasn’t worried about the crack as it was me finding out actually who he was.”
  — Dempsey ([18:47])

• On Recovery:
  “I look back and I say, that guy’s dead. You’re this guy now.”
  — Dempsey ([41:27])

• On Family and Faith:
  “I had a circle of trusted officers, friends, pastors, and they...carried me through it.”
  — Dempsey ([29:23])

• On Transformation:
  “If it’s all about you, you’re in bad company. That’s really what it’s about. And God is the center of my life.”
  — Wiley ([42:26])

Timestamps – Key Segments

• [05:57] – Dempsey describes the initial call and encounter
• [07:21] – Suspect attempts to shoot Dempsey; gun jams
• [08:16] – Decision to use deadly force, backup weapon fired
• [09:44] – Camera evidence and grand jury outcome
• [13:38] – Tactical error; Dempsey’s reflection on patdown mistake
• [16:12] – Age and experience at time of incident
• [18:47] – Suspect’s true criminal background revealed
• [24:08] – The immediate emotional and physical aftermath
• [26:27] – Isolated during investigation, not allowed to work
• [28:32] – Leaving due to media, community hostility, and threats
• [34:00] – "Fastest Four Seconds" explained
• [35:59] – Coping with trauma and PTSD
• [37:06] – Intervention by family, beginning of active recovery
• [38:25] – Routine and accountability in ongoing healing
• [39:31] – Inspiration for writing the book; sharing lived experience
• [41:27] – Reflection on personal transformation

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an unvarnished, deeply personal account of what happens behind and after tragic police encounters—far beyond what’s reported in headlines. Dempsey’s narrative is raw, sobering, and instructive—offering wisdom, cautionary notes, and hope for officers, their families, and the public. It’s a compelling reminder of the human side of law enforcement, the ripple effects of trauma, and the possibility of renewal.

Contact & Resources:

• Fastest4seconds.com for more on J. Packey Dempsey, his book, and speaking engagements.
• Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on Facebook for ongoing support and discussions.