Funeral For Slain Vestavia Police Officer Set

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL - The funeral for a Vestavia Hills police officer killed in a domestic dispute last week in Gardendale is set for Thursday, May 9. Andrew Wade Kimbrel was 42 years old when he died Friday.

Gardendale police chief Mike Walker said Kimbrel was shot just before 11 p.m. last Thursday and was taken to UAB Hospital where he died early the next morning. Kimbrel's wife, 43-year-old Stephanie Nicole Keller, is charged with his murder and remains in the Jefferson County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Visitation for Kimbrel will be held on Wednesday, May 8, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Cahaba Valley Road in Pelham. The funeral will be held Thursday, May 9, at Mountain Top Community Church on Centerview Drive in Vestavia Hills. There will be a police procession from Mountain Top back to Southern Heritage Thursday for a brief graveside service.

With the VHPD since 2002, Kimbrell worked as a school resource officer at Vestavia Hills West Elementary and Vestavia Hills High School.

"Andy was loved by his fellow officers and the community which he chose to protect. The Vestavia Hills Police Department extends our gratitude to the community for their outpouring of support during this difficult time," Capt. Johnny Evans said at Friday's press conference. "We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Gardendale Police Department for their professional courtesy in handling this situation. We extend our deepest sympathy to Andy's family, relatives and friends."

Kimbrel’s family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Vestavia Hills Police Foundation in his memory.