J’Mar Colin Abel, a Chambers County sheriff’s deputy, was killed in the line of duty while engaged in a pursuit Monday afternoon.

Abel was assisting the Roanoke Police Department with the chase when his 2017 Ford Explorer patrol vehicle crashed on County Road 278.

In a statement, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall provided information related to the fatal crash and honored Abel’s valiant service.

“Alabama’s law enforcement community is saddened tonight to learn of the loss of Chambers County Deputy Sheriff J’Mar Colin Abel, who gave his life while protecting the public,” said Marshall in a release. “Deputy Sheriff Abel, age 24, a two-year veteran of the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, was marking his second anniversary with the Sheriff’s Office on the day he lost his life.”

“At approximately 4:30pm, Deputy Abel was assisting in a vehicle pursuit of a suspect from a neighboring county when he lost control of his patrol car while rounding a curve,” advised the attorney general. “He lost his life in the crash. The suspect was apprehended.”

Alabama’s chief law enforcement officer stated that Abel’s death was a reminder of the sacrifice that those in uniform make while carrying out their oath to protect the citizenry.

“Deputy Sheriff Abel is the seventh Alabama law enforcement officer to perish in the line of duty this year, giving his all to [fulfill] his oath to protect and serve the public,” noted Marshall. “His loss reminds us of the sacrifice that our law enforcement heroes make for us every day. We can never repay them.”