Hundreds of people said their goodbyes Thursday to an Irondale police lieutenant who was struck and killed while preparing to direct traffic outside Church of the Highlands.
Irondale police Lt. Mark Meadows, a 60-year-old husband, father and grandfather, was remembered as a “silent warrior,” a man of few words who made a big impact on those who knew and loved him.
“We know that because Mark was a believer, he’s in a better place today than we are standing right here,’’ Mayor James Stewart said. “We’re just so grateful that he died instantaneously. We don’t believe that he suffered, that he was in any pain.”
“God took him up to His mansion where there are many rooms,’’ Stewart said, “and we hope that he is in one of the biggest rooms today watching down to see us celebrating his life.”
Meadows was killed Monday morning when he was putting out traffic cones as the church’s 21 Days of Prayer service was about to let out.
It was just before 7 a.m. when Meadows was hit at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Overton Road. He was pronounced dead at Grandview Medical Center at 7:39 a.m.
Alabama State Troopers said the Chevrolet Colorado that struck Meadows was driven by 32-year-old Evan N. Sullivan of Leeds. The driver stopped at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
Gov. Kay Ivey ordered the flags lowered Thursday in Meadows’ honor. The Jefferson/Shelby County Chapter of the Alabama Police Benevolent Association and the Police Benevolent Foundation are raising money for Meadows’ family.
Donations can be made here.
Meadows served four years in the U.S Army 3rd Ranger Battalion, 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Benning in Georgia.
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, he began his law enforcement career with the Mountain Brook Police Department in 1992, before transferring to the Irondale Police Department.
He became an FBI instructor certified in pistol and rifle in 2001. He then became an NRA Instructor certified in pistol in 2017.
Meadows worked at Church of Highlands since the Grants Mill facility opened 18 years ago.
Mourners, which included police officers from law enforcement agencies throughout the state, poured into Church of the Highlands at noon Thursday. Meadows will have a private, military burial.
Officers from neighboring agencies filled in for Irondale police so many from the force could attend the service.
Stewart, who spoke before and at the service, said one of his favorite memories of Meadows happened just recently.
“I’d had a come-to-Jesus meeting with the police department, and he came to let me know that he was in support of the direction I wanted to move the city and the police department,’’ the mayor said.
“He had a slot for a 30-minute interview because he was a man of few words. I talked for 27 and he talked for three.”
Stewart described Meadows as a family man who was considerate, thoughtful, compassionate and humble.
“He put others’ interests before he put his own,’’ Stewart said. “He was always there to support and help someone along the way.”
“The Bible says, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’’’ he said, “and I feel that Lt. Meadows embodied that scripture because he looked out for everybody.”
“He meant a lot to us,’’ the mayor said. “He was a silent warrior. He didn’t say a lot, but you can see by the people that are here today that he was well thought of, well respected.”
Pastor Chris Hodges said the church considered Meadows a dear friend.
“He served this campus for nearly 18 years,’’ Hodges said, “and did it so faithfully.’’
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