University Of Alabama Police Officer Jailed On Felony Domestic Violence Charge

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A University of Alabama Police officer is charged with first-degree domestic violence-burglary, following an incident involving an ex-girlfriend and another man over the weekend at a Tuscaloosa apartment complex.

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According to a deposition filed Monday in Tuscaloosa District Court, 48-year-old Randy Ford Sumner is accused of forcing his way into his former girlfriend's apartment on Red Drew Avenue on Saturday, looking for the other male subject involved. Police then learned that Sumner and the female victim had dated for several years, but had separated roughly a month ago.

The court filing confirms Sumner's employment with UAPD, which is along with Patch's independent confirmation that he is indeed a sworn officer on the UAPD force.

Sumner, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, is accused of kicking down a bedroom door and then a bathroom door to get to the other man in the apartment. He then reportedly shoved the man, knocking his glasses off, before the male victim was able to escape from the apartment.

UA spokesman Shane Dorrill confirmed to Patch Monday afternoon that Sumner is a patrol officer and is currently on administrative leave from the department.

Both the man and woman suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scrapes, the deposition says, and Sumner informed responding Tuscaloosa Police officers that he was armed with a handgun during the incident.

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The deposition goes on to say that a doorbell camera captured Sumner's unlawful entry, resulting in his felony charge.

According to Tuscaloosa County Jail records, he has since been released from jail after his bond for the lone charge was set at $30,000. If found guilty of a felony charge, Sumner would no longer be able to work in law enforcement.

Tuscaloosa Patch has reached out to the University of Alabama for comment and will provide more details as they come available.

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