UPDATE ON EARLIER STABBING INCIDENT An arrest has been made in connection with the stabbing incident that occurred earlier today behind Publix in Cullman. Michael Athanasius Helring, of Hanahan, South Carolina, has been arrested and charged with Attempted Murder in violation of Alabama Code §13A-4-2. The victim’s name will not be released at this time. A Mugshot will be posted as soon as it is obtained by the Cullman Police Department. Chief Joey Duncan would like to commend our Patrol Officers, Investigators, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Deputies, and District Attorney Champ Crocker for their swift response and strong partnership in this case. Through teamwork, professionalism, and a shared commitment to public safety, their coordinated efforts led to a quick arrest. We are grateful for their continued dedication and service to our community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cullman Police Department officers and investigators responded to a stabbing incident that occurred behind Publix. As a result of the ongoing investigation, officers have detained two suspects of interest who may be involved in the incident. The investigation remains active. At this time, the incident is believed to be isolated. The victim’s name and additional details will not be released, pending further investigation. If anyone has information related to this incident, please contact the Cullman Police Department at 256-734-1434. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

Chief Joey Duncan, Assistant Chief Brandon Patterson, and Community Relations Officer Adam Clark had the distinct honor of visiting the Alabama State House this week and meet with Representative Cindy Myrex and Senator Pro Tem Garlan Gudger. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Senator Pro Tem Gudger and Heather Gudger for their warm hospitality during our visit. We are grateful for the continued support of our legislative leaders as we work together to serve the citizens of Cullman.

It is always an honor when our schools take the time to show their appreciation for our School Resource Officers. These men invest daily in the safety, mentorship, and well-being of our students, and that commitment does not go unnoticed. A special thank you to Officer Palisay and Officer Fisher for the outstanding work you do in our schools and for the relationships you build with students and staff each day. We are proud of you both and grateful for your dedication to serving our community.

Good luck to the Cullman Bearcats Basketball Team as they take the court in their regional matchup against Clay-Chalkville Cougars at Wallace State. The entire Cullman community is behind you — play hard, stay focused, and leave it all on the floor. Go Bearcats! 🏀

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE On February 17, 2026, at approximately 10:52 p.m., Cullman Police Department Dispatch received an area-wide BOLO from the Decatur Police Department regarding a stolen 2001 red Toyota Solara that had just been used in the burglary of a pawn shop in Decatur. During the burglary, several firearms and a large quantity of ammunition were reported stolen. The BOLO advised that the vehicle was possibly traveling southbound on I-65. Dispatch relayed the information to CPD patrol officers, who began canvassing the I-65 corridor. At approximately 10:57 p.m., Officer Joshua Spinks located a vehicle matching the BOLO description at a gas station on Highway 157 near Exit 310. Officer Spinks confirmed the license plate matched the stolen vehicle as it exited the gas station and attempted a traffic stop as the vehicle merged onto I-65 southbound. The driver failed to yield and fled, initiating a high-speed pursuit. The vehicle continued southbound on I-65 at a high rate of speed. Near mile marker 297, the driver abruptly stopped, exited the vehicle, and fled on foot into a wooded area. CPD officers, assisted by deputies with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, pursued the suspect into the woods and located him hiding in dense brush. Colton McCoy Tubbs of Oakman, Alabama, was taken into custody without incident. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 16 firearms stolen during the Decatur burglary. Further investigation determined the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier that day from Nashville, Tennessee. Tubbs was charged with the following offenses: • Receiving Stolen Property – First Degree • Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (Felony) Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues in coordination with assisting agencies. Chief Joey Duncan commends Officer Joshua Spinks for his alertness, decisive action, and commitment to public safety. His quick recognition of the suspect vehicle and immediate response played a critical role in the successful apprehension of the suspect and the recovery of stolen firearms. Chief Duncan would also like to extend his appreciation to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Decatur Police Department for their assistance in this case.

It was an honor for the Cullman Police Department to be part of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s Mardi Gras Parade and Gumbo Cook-Off! 🎭 We always appreciate the opportunity to celebrate with our community and be part of such a fun and festive event. 💜💛💚

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama for hosting us today. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and strengthen our shared commitment to public safety. Partnerships like this play a vital role in helping us better serve the citizens of Cullman by encouraging community involvement, supporting investigations, and promoting anonymous reporting. We look forward to working together and building a strong partnership that continues to make a positive impact in our community.

🚨 Traffic Alert – Hwy 278 & Main Avenue 🚨 The traffic signals at Highway 278 and Main Avenue are currently flashing. • Hwy 278 (eastbound & westbound) is flashing yellow – traffic has the right of way. • Main Avenue is flashing red – drivers must stop and yield to Hwy 278 traffic. Crews are actively working to resolve the issue. Please use caution in the area and consider avoiding this intersection if possible until repairs are complete. Thank you for your patience and safe driving!

ATTENTION: If you lost several life jackets today on Highway 31 South, they have been recovered and are in our possession. Please contact the Cullman Police Department at 256-775-7160 to claim them.

We are proud to announce that the Cullman Police Department has officially received State Accreditation from the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) — becoming only the 16th police department out of more than 340 across Alabama to earn this distinction. AACOP Accreditation is not an award that’s simply given, it is earned through an extensive, independent review process that evaluates every aspect of a department’s operations. This includes policies and procedures, training standards, accountability, use of force guidelines, evidence handling, officer safety, transparency, and overall professionalism. To achieve accreditation, the department must demonstrate full compliance with hundreds of proven, best-practice standards designed to ensure effective policing, ethical conduct, and high-quality service to the community. It also requires continuous evaluation and a commitment to ongoing improvement, this is not a one-time achievement, but a standard we must maintain.

Congratulations to Officer Cody Hardin on being named the Cullman Police Department Officer of the Quarter! 👏🚓 Officer Hardin’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community do not go unnoticed. This recognition is well deserved, and we are grateful for the hard work and positive impact he makes every day. Thank you, Officer Hardin, for your service and for representing the Cullman Police Department with excellence. 💙

Friday, we had the pleasure of visiting some of our favorite people at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cullman County Tourism Bureau to deliver Cullman Police Department challenge coins. These organizations do an outstanding job supporting our community and helping showcase everything that makes Cullman such a great place to live, work, and visit. We’re grateful for the strong partnerships and the continued support they provide to our department and our city. Thank you for all you do for Cullman! 💙🚓

For Immediate Release: A semi-truck pulling a trailer was traveling southbound on Alabama Highway 157 and attempted to make a left turn onto County Road 1339 when it collided with a motorcycle traveling northbound on AL-157. The Cullman Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit and an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) trooper responded to investigate the crash. The collision resulted in the death of the motorcycle operator. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick was called to the scene. No names or additional details are being released at this time.

🚧 TRAFFIC ALERT 🚧 The Cullman Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit is currently investigating a crash on Highway 157 at Child Haven Road. 🚫 All lanes are closed in both directions at this time. Please avoid the area if possible and use an alternate route until the investigation is complete and the roadway is reopened. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Huge thanks to the Omniplex Crew, Cullman Fire & Rescue, and our Cullman Police Officers for teaming up today for an absolutely chaotic (and awesome!) Nerf battle 💥😄 The kids had an absolute blast, the laughs were nonstop, and the competition was friendly… mostly 😉 Events like this are such a great reminder that building relationships and making memories with our youth can be just as important as anything else we do. We loved seeing everyone out there running, laughing, and having fun together. Thanks to everyone who helped make today a win for the kids and our community. We’re already looking forward to the next battle! 🔫

We’d like to extend a big thank you to Mrs. Marsh at Vinemont Elementary School for welcoming us into the classroom to talk with students about safety. 👏 It was a great opportunity to have open conversations about making smart choices, staying aware of their surroundings, and knowing when and how to ask for help. We appreciate Mrs. Marsh’s commitment to keeping her students informed and empowered, and we’re always grateful for the partnership we share with our local schools as we work together to keep our kids safe. 💙🚓 Go Vinemont Eagles! 🦅

🚨 The countdown is ON for our Kids vs. Cullman Police Nerf Battle 🔫 Big energy. Friendly competition. An even bigger cause. Join us for an action-packed morning benefiting 💙 Cullman Shop with a Cop 🧒 Ages 4–12 📅 February 7th ⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 📍 OmniPlex 🔗 https://cullmanrecreation.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1500 🎯 Bring Your Own Nerf Gun 💲 $20 per child This is one event your kids will be talking about all week— see you in 3 days. 👏

We were so grateful to the Lutheran Women in Mission for stopping by yesterday with delicious muffins and a beautiful plaque for us to hang up. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, and continued support mean a great deal to our officers and staff. Gestures like this truly remind us how fortunate we are to serve such a caring community—thank you for brightening our day! 💙

Thank you to Maciel Chavez for stopping by with some amazing tamales and cornbread for our officers and staff! Your kindness and support mean more than you know, and it definitely put smiles on a lot of faces (and full stomachs 😄). We truly appreciate you thinking of us and taking the time to show your support for the Cullman Police Department. 💙👮‍♂️