The suspect, released from state prison just last month, is well-known to law enforcement in eastern Jefferson County. He is considered armed and dangerous.
His lengthy rap sheet includes arrests for attempted murder, robbery, assault, arson, receiving stolen property, distribution of a controlled substance, theft and eluding police, court records show.
He was released from prison in February after serving four years, five months and 29 days for convictions on receiving stolen property, assault and leaving the scene of an accident.
He had 11 disciplinary actions during his most recent stint in prison.
He also served time in between 1987 and 1996 for convictions of assault, distribution of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property and arson.
His latest incident, they say, came this morning when he assaulted Trussville Police Officer Dennis Reid in Lola City.
Trussville Police Chief Don Sivley said two patrol cars responded to a call of a burglary in progress on Smith Sims Road in the Lola City area at 9:48 a.m. A man was reported on the side of the road carrying a flat screen TV.
One of the units was driven by Reid, an eight-year veteran of the department. Sivley said Reid encountered the man, who overpowered him and beat him, taking his keys and gun before fleeing in his patrol car. When other Trussville officers could no longer raise Reid on the radio, several units converged on the area and found Reid on Lola City Road. He was later transported to the hospital with several injuries. "He was beat up pretty bad," Sivley said. "We're just fortunate that it wasn't more serious."
Investigators were able to identify him as the officer's attacker based on video taken from the Trussville patrol car.
The car was recovered within the hour in Birmingham's Fountain Heights neighborhood.
The extent of the officer's injuries isn't known, but Trussville Police Chief Don Sivley said he was badly beaten. He is at UAB Hospital, where a spokesman said he is listed in serious condition.