Oct. 1, 2025, Published 5:33 p.m. ET – The son of reality star Dog The Bounty Hunter has been fired from the Priceville, Ala., police department, RadarOnline.com can report, following a car chase that ended tragically with the death of a 17-year-old boy.

Garry Chapman was reportedly pursuing a man suspected of DUI when the suspect’s vehicle collided with another car carrying four innocent teens. The crash resulted in the death of 17-year-old Tristan Hollis, while three others in the vehicle were hospitalized in critical condition.

Chapman was placed on administrative leave last month pending an investigation into his actions during the chase. On Wednesday, Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin confirmed to Radar that Chapman’s termination would be permanent but declined to disclose specific details due to the case’s complexity.

“For reasons important to the protection of employee due process and fairness, it is the policy of the City of Priceville not to comment on pending personnel matters,” Heflin said in a statement. “I can say, however, that the City and its police department are committed to serve the citizens of the City of Priceville by enforcing the law proactively and fairly, but in a manner that is consistent with applicable law and the Department’s Policies and Procedures.”

Garry Chapman to Appeal His Termination

Chapman is reportedly appealing the decision and is scheduled for a hearing on October 13, following the city council meeting. His attorney, Scott Morro, spoke with CBS News 19 in Huntsville, expressing confidence in his client’s case.

“Garry Chapman is an excellent police officer who has made several cases for the City of Priceville, and he is their top police officer even though he has only been there a short period of time,” Morro said.

Chapman, the youngest son of reality TV star Duane Chapman (known as Dog The Bounty Hunter), joined the Priceville Police Department in 2023.

Morro further told Huntsville’s Fox54: “The Supreme Court allows pursuit as long as you’re assessing danger throughout the pursuit. It’s unfortunate that it turned out the way it did, but Garry followed the law, and he followed the policy.

“We hope that the City Council, after the hearing, will see it our way and recognize that Chapman is an asset to their city and not a detriment. Hopefully, he’ll be reinstated.”

Tragic Car Chase Leads to Deadly Crash

Radar previously reported that Chapman had been tailing a man later identified as Archie Hale into the neighboring town of Hartselle. Hale’s vehicle collided with another car carrying six teens before crashing into a ditch.

Seventeen-year-old Tristan Hollis died as a result of the crash. Others in the vehicle, as well as Hale and his passenger, were hospitalized.

Supporting the Teen Victims

Since the incident, family members of the teens involved have created individual GoFundMe pages to raise funds for funeral expenses and medical treatment.

One of the fundraising pages explains:

“On Saturday, Braxton’s world was shattered when he was involved in a violent crash that claimed the life of his best friend and left two other young lives forever changed.

While we are grateful that Braxton is still with us, the weight of this tragedy is something no teenager should ever have to carry.”

Together, the three GoFundMe campaigns have raised more than $65,000 to support the teens and their families during this difficult time.

https://radaronline.com/p/dog-the-bounty-hunter-cop-son-garry-fired-car-crash-killed-teen/