Alabama police officer killed by driver while directing traffic near a church

IRONDALE, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama police officer was killed Monday after being struck by a truck while directing traffic outside a church.

The Irondale Police Department said Lt. Mark Meadows, 60, was on duty directing traffic at an intersection when he was hit by a passing vehicle. He was taken to a nearby hospital but died from his injuries, the city said.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the incident. The agency said Meadows was struck by a pickup truck. The 32-year-old driver stopped at the scene, authorities said. It was not immediately clear whether he was facing charges.

“Lt. Mark Meadows was a treasured member of our Irondale family for over 30 years,” Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. said in a statement. “He was a man of few words but always led by example and embodied the heart of a true public servant.”

The incident occurred at about 7 a.m. outside the Church of the Highlands, a large church campus that was preparing to let out morning prayer services, news outlets reported.

Irondale is a suburban city about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Birmingham.