Dog the Bounty Hunter star Duane Chapman’s police officer son, Garry Chapman, has been put on administrative leave following his involvement in a fatal crash that left a teen dead.
Officer Chapman, 24, has been placed on paid leave at Alabama sheriff’s department pending the outcome of the investigation — a standard procedure — according to TMZ.
Priceville Mayor and Police Committee Chair, Sam Heflin, did not confirm if Garry is related to the reality TV star. But sources told the publication that Garry is indeed Duane’s son.
The circumstances of the accident, which took place in Hartselle, Alabama, are still under investigation, but Chapman was reportedly involved in a chase on September 6 that left six people hospitalized and resulted in the death of 17-year-old Tristan Hollis.
The conditions of the other victims have not been released.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Police Committee Chair and Chapman’s representatives for comment.
Dog the Bounty Hunter star Duane Chapman’s, 72, police officer son, Garry Chapman, 24, has been put on administrative leave following his involvement in a fatal crash that left a teen dead; Chapman pictured with his father at his Police Graduation in Alabama
Officer Chapman has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation — a standard procedure — according to TMZ; Seen in his police uniform
One of the victims in the hospital, named Archie Hale, is also a possible suspect in the case.
Local reports indicate Archie’s car struck another vehicle, sending it through an intersection before his own car crashed into a ditch.
It’s not clear if drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
The 17-year-old victim’s grandmother, Beth Campbell Vinson, shared a photo of the teen over the weekend, writing, ‘It’s so hard to believe! My sweet 17 year old grandson, Tristan Hollis is in Jesus arms.’
‘He passed away from injuries he sustained in a horrible auto accident last night in Hartselle. Please, please pray for my daughter, Rachel, our family and the Hollis family. Thank you for your prayers.’
Chapman was recently featured on the Priceville Police Department’s social media in April.
In a short Q&A Chapman said that he has worked as a police officer for three and a half years, a total that includes his time as a corrections officer.
He also shared it was his famous dad who inspired him to become one.
‘Even though he wasn’t in law enforcement, he always lived by the motto: “Leave people better than you found them.” Watching how he treated others and carried himself with integrity made a huge impact on me.’
‘I knew I wanted to follow a path where I could make that same kind of difference. Law enforcement became that path for me,’ he shared.
The circumstances of the accident are still under investigation, but Chapman was reportedly involved in a chase on September 6 that left six people hospitalized and resulted in the death of 17-year-old Tristan Hollis; Chapman pictured on September 7
Hollis, who died in the accident, pictured in a post shared by his grandmother, Beth Campbell Vinson
The crash site pictured in news footage
Chapman was recently featured on the Priceville Police Department’s social media in April
In a short Q&A Chapman said that he has worked as a police officer for three and a half years, a total that includes his time as a corrections officer
He also shared it was his famous dad who inspired him to become one. ‘Even though he wasn’t in law enforcement, he always lived by the motto: “Leave people better than you found them”‘
Chapman added that outside of work he enjoys, ‘spending time with my family, church and going to the gym focusing on my physical health.’
At the time he also revealed he’s a ‘full-time college student’ and had received the ‘Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice award’ that month.
Dog the Bounty Hunter has children from six different relationships.
He shares Garry with his late fifth wife Beth Smith, who died from stage II throat cancer. The two also welcomed daughter Bonnie Joanne (born December 16, 1998).
Chapman also adopted Beth’s daughter from her previous marriage, Cecily Barmore-Chapman.
Some of his children gained public recognition through their appearances on his long-running reality series, Dog the Bounty Hunter, which followed his pursuit of fugitives from Hawaii to his native Colorado.
It comes just a month after Duane’s stepson, Gregory Zecca, was put on a psychiatric hold after accidentally fatally shooting his thirteen-year-old son.
Gregory, 38, was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold following the devastating tragedy amid concerns that he might try to take his own life, according to TMZ.
Anthony was accidentally shot and killed by Gregory — who is the son of Chapman’s wife Francie — at their family apartment in Naples.
Anthony’s fatal gunshot wound was on his neck, just above his sternum, with no exit wound, per a police report from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Florida obtained by DailyMail.com.
Law enforcement said Anthony had lost a huge amount of blood by the time they arrived at the scene — with the teenager receiving CPR, chest compressions and a chest seal in an ultimately futile bid to save his life.
Deputies were dispatched at 8:08 p.m. ET to the scene — with Zecca pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m. ET.
He shares Garry with his late fifth wife Beth Smith, who died from stage II throat cancer. The two also welcomed daughter Bonnie Joanne; Duane and Beth pictured 2005
The firearm used in the shooting was on the kitchen island when deputies arrived.
Gregory — who is Francie’s son from a previous marriage — reportedly collaborates with his stepfather Duane on his bounty hunting team.
He is notably a gun enthusiast. Back in 2021, he proudly shared photos of himself and his late son ‘getting some range time in’ with their rifles.
The Chapmans — who began dating in 2020 — first bonded over their shared grief about being widowed.
Duane suffered the loss of his fifth wife Beth in 2019, and Francie suffered the loss of her husband Bob Frane in 2018.
