Gurley police officer Christopher J. Whalen indicted on manslaughter charges for fatal chase crash in 2023.

Gurley police officer Christopher J. Whalen has been indicted on manslaughter charges by a Madison County grand jury following a fatal crash on July 21, 2023. Whalen was pursuing a Nissan Maxima when his patrol vehicle struck and killed 22-year-old Matthew Norwood. Whalen, who reached speeds of up to 130 mph during the chase, was placed on paid leave and resigned in January 2024. His bail is set at $25,000, and the pursued suspect remains at large.