By Chris Basinger, News Editor

IRONDALE, Ala. – The city of Irondale is in mourning after one of its officers was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at the Church of the Highlands Grants Mill campus Monday morning.

According to an email from Heritage Place Church of Christ, where he was a member, the slain officer was identified as Lt. Mark Meadows identified.

The accident occurred just before 7 a.m. on Grants Mill Road near Overton Road as cars were leaving the church’s 21 Days of Prayer event.

According to the city, Meadows was taken to Grandview Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

ALEA closed all lanes of Grants Mill Road for approximately five hours while it investigated the crash.

“The Irondale Police Department sincerely thanks the surrounding law enforcement agencies for their assistance with this incident,” the city said in a statement.

“The Irondale Police Department would also like to extend our collective support, thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Lt. Direct Meadows. Members of the Irondale Police Department and others in need will be offered grief support.”

“Lt. Mark Meadows was a valued member of our Irondale family for over 30 years,” Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. said.

“He was a man of few words, but always led by example and embodied the heart of a true public servant. Lt. Meadows will be sorely missed by his brothers and sisters in the Irondale Police Department, as well as by all of our city employees and citizens. We are comforted to know that he is with his Heavenly Father, and we will continue to accompany his family in prayer as they mourn this great loss.”

“Please pray for Susan, Mark’s wife, Mary Meadows, Mark’s mother, and Frank & Lila Sutton, Mark’s father-in-law and mother-in-law, and the rest of his family.“ the email from Heritage Place read.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.