Birmingham Police detective killed in motorcycle accident

The Birmingham Police department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Detective Steve Head was killed in a motorcycle crash last night.

Alabama State Troopers say 54-year-old Head was riding his 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle on Highway 25 in Vandiver about 5:30 p.m. Sunday when the accident happened. A friend who was riding with Officer Head told FOX6 News the bike missed a curve on the road.Head, who is from Odenville, started out in the East Precinct and recently transferred to be a detective in the robbery division.

"Steve was a great officer, he was loved by all," said David Crews, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge. "Everybody looked up to him as well as his expertise and professionalism. He was just a great all around friend, officer, and great man."

Crews says losing a fellow officer is hard, but especially so in this kind of accident."We have such a dangerous job we kind of get in the mindset prepared to go do a job and we know we may go to work and not come home. But when you're off and you're enjoying something that you do a lot, that you enjoy, you're just out riding, it kind of hits home because it is more unexpected."Head was a charter member of the Alabama chapter of the Sentinels, a motorcycle club for law enforcement officers. Several club members told FOX6 News today Head had a passion for bikes and his friends, the very people his fellow officers will now try to support."Steve touched so many people that've been touched by this, we'll just try to reach out to the family and friends as well," Crews said.Funeral arrangements are still pending for Detective Head.