Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry addresses the media on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 about the murder of local attorney Steve Griffith. / Andrew Cryer
This is a subject that we’ve talked about many times. It’s a subject that makes me angry to talk about, and that’s mental illness.”Sheriff Matt Gentry
CULLMAN – Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, still visibly affected by last night’s fatal home invasion that claimed the life of Cullman attorney Steve Griffith, held a press conference Tuesday afternoon about the incident. He spoke candidly, and with passion, about what he feels is the state’s failure to properly care for its mentally ill citizens.
“A little bit after 5 p.m. yesterday, a little bit kind of close to 6, an individual that we’ve identified as Patrick Walker went to Mr. Steve Griffith’s residence with the intention of killing him,” said Gentry. “He went inside the residence and shot Mr. Griffith. At this time, there was another occupant in the residence, who then ensued in a struggle with Mr. Walker, and after a long struggle, killed Mr. Walker.”
He continued, “This is a subject that we’ve talked about many times. It’s a subject that makes me angry to talk about, and that’s mental illness. Through the investigation, our investigators have worked throughout the night, and are continuing to work. What we have identified (is) that in 1997, there was a case involving Mr. Walker, and for the last decade he believed that the victim had a part to play in a case that he was involved in. We’ve identified that Mr. Walker had mental issues. Mr. Walker became infatuated with Mr. Griffith, even though they had no connection. There was no connection between the two. And yesterday, that mental illness led Mr. Walker to Mr. Griffith’s residence, in which he took his life.”
Said Gentry, “In Mr. Walker’s mental state, he believed there was a connection. There was not.”
Since early Monday evening, there have been rumors swirling around town and on social media about the details of the incident. Gentry addressed those directly.
“One of the things I want to do is clear up a lot of rumors. This was not a murder for hire,” he said. “This was a product of the failure of our society. This was a product of someone with mental illness not getting treated. This is (an) issue that we’ve talked about many times. It’s an issue that makes me angry. It’s an issue that law enforcement and the victims, our citizens, deal with every day. And it’s an issue that we need to stand up as a community and fix. We’ve talked about it numerous times. We’ve all been here together. How many times have talked about law enforcement being in standoffs, law enforcement being in shootouts with mentally ill. Our citizens getting hurt. This is another prime example where we, as a whole, failed the system. The system is failing our citizens.”
On the current state of mental healthcare, Gentry said, “Today, outpatient is the best scenario you can give someone. Well, outpatient doesn’t work. You can’t trust that person to take care of themselves. You can’t trust that that person will take their medication. You need long-term treatment for these individuals.”
Gentry confirmed that Walker had been treated in the past, “in the last 20 years.”
According to the sheriff, Walker walked into Griffith’s home Monday night with his own weapon, a pistol, which he was legally allowed to own.
But, even if he weren’t allowed, Gentry said, “If a bad guy wants a gun, a bad guy’s going to get a gun. If I’m a bad guy, I can go on the street and get one.”
The victim who was injured in the struggle with Walker has not been officially identified.
“There is one of the victims that is in the hospital currently. I’m going to ask that y’all will please show them some privacy,” Gentry implored. “They’re trying to heal after this event…Our hearts need to go out with the family on this incident.”
The sheriff’s office is not releasing any details about how Walker was killed, with Gentry saying only, “He was not shot.”
He shared, “Cullman County is a great community. We’re a very tight-knit community. I have people come to my house every day. I know some. Some I don’t.
“We live in a community where we help each other. It’s not uncommon for citizens in Cullman County to know that maybe somebody’s an attorney, someone’s in law enforcement. Hey, they come to your house to ask for help. That’s not an uncommon practice in our community. We live in a great community, where our main focus is to help each other.”
The incident took place on County Road 1301 in north Cullman County.
Asked to speak about his relationship with the victim, Gentry, obviously emotional, said, “I’m going on my 18th year in law enforcement; I have many friends. Steve Griffith was my friend.”
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