Felon Sentenced to 40 Years for Shooting at Two Birmingham Police Sergeants
In a recent turn of events, a convicted 44-year-old felon who shot at two Birmingham Police sergeants was handed a cumulative 40 years’ jail sentence. The offender, identified as Kenneth Dewayne Whitehead, pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder directed at Birmingham Police Sergeant Anthony Wheeler and Sergeant Arthur Wilder. He was shot at during the confrontation with the officers in response to his actions.
Incident Details
On March 11, 2020, Sergeant Wheeler and Wilder were assigned to a case related to a spate of vehicle thefts in the west side of Birming City. Subsequently, they stopped a vehicle towing another one as part of the ongoing investigations.
Upon the sergeants’ intervention, the passengers of the vehicle attempted to evade the police, prompting a foot chase that involved Sergeant Wheeler. During the pursuit, Wheeler tripped and was shot at by Whitehead as he was regaining his stance.
Emergency Response
In response to shots fired by Whitehead, both Wheeler and Wilder retaliated by shooting back at him, injuring him in the process. An accompanying officer at the scene relayed the situation back to base, which dispatched urgent reinforcement to aid the sergeants.
Wheeler, who had a ten-year service history in the force, sustained a leg wound and was promptly taken to UAB hospital by fellow officers. Subsequent to this ordeal, Wheeler exercised his retirement rights while Wilder continues to serve in the force.
The Convict – Kenneth Dewayne Whitehead
In 2005, Whitehead pleaded guilty to robbery charges in Jefferson County and was sentenced to a 20-year service with a stipulation of serving a minimum of five years. During his term in prison, he was reported to have violated disciplinary rules on nine separate occasions.
Whitehead’s troubled history continues with his probation being retracted in June 2010 following his arrest on counts of felony charges for possession of marijuana and cocaine along with resisting arrest. He was sentenced to a one-year, three-month suspended sentence in 2011 after pleading guilty to the drug charges.
Presently, Whitehead awaits his transfer back to state prison at the Jefferson County Jail after his previous release on April 4, 2016.
Pleads Guilty and Receives his Sentence
Whitehead was slated for trial on June 11, 2024. However, he pleaded guilty on both charges brought against him. Consequently, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety sentenced him to serve a 20-year prison term for each conviction consecutively, bringing his total sentence to 40 years.
Whitehead issued an apology in court upon receiving his sentence, represented by Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
