David Rushton

David has an extensive background in traffic crash investigations developed during a 26-year law enforcement career investigating thousands of traffic crashes ranging from simple fender benders to multiple fatalities. David has completed hundreds of hours of traffic crash investigation training becoming certified as a traffic crash reconstructionist and a commercial motor vehicle inspector. After retirement, David worked as a legal investigator for two different personal injury law firms in Birmingham, Alabama before co-founding APEX Legal Services, LLC.

Beginning his law enforcement career with the Jacksonville (AL) Police Department in May 1991, David found an early interest in traffic law enforcement and traffic crash investigation. He eventually joined the Pelham (AL) Police Department in October 1993. David was selected as a member of the Traffic Operations Unit in October 1995 where he specialized in traffic homicide investigations and traffic crash reconstruction. After working various assignments in patrol and traffic, David was promoted to Sergeant in July 2007 and he served in various administrative, patrol, and traffic assignments as a supervisor.

David was the driving force behind the formation and implementation of a county-wide, multi-agency investigative unit to handle serious injury and fatal traffic crashes in Shelby County, Alabama. After presenting the idea to local police chiefs, the task force was unanimously approved, and David was appointed to lead the newly formed Metro-Shelby Traffic Homicide Investigation (THI) Task Force in April 2008 by the Shelby County Chiefs Association. This specialized task force was the first of its kind in Alabama bringing together the personnel and resources from eight different law enforcement agencies in the county with the focus of investigating serious traffic crashes to their fullest extent, to identify causative factors, and when necessary, pursue criminal charges if a substantial degree of recklessness and/or criminal conduct was determined. By the start of 2015, the task force was comprised of 23 officers and deputies assigned as a part-time, as needed duty assignment as investigators.

Promoted to Lieutenant in October 2011, David assumed split command of the Patrol Division as the 2nd Shift Patrol Commander. He continued to serve as Commander of the Traffic Operations Unit and the Metro-Shelby THI Task Force during this time. In October 2015, David was promoted to Captain and he assumed command of the Support Services Bureau overseeing the Administrative Services Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Communications and Records Division, Technology, Budget/Fiscal Services, and Internal Affairs. Serving over 20 years as a traffic homicide investigator, traffic crash reconstructionist, THI team leader, and Traffic Operations Unit Commander, David stepped down from traffic duties in November 2015.

David is a graduate of Session 98 of the University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy, the Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI-LEEDA 45th Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives, the Public Safety Leadership and Management Certificate program at the University of North Alabama and the 123rd Administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police Institute. He holds numerous certificates in traffic crash investigation and reconstruction, police leadership, and incident management. David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University, a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Faulkner University, and a Graduate Certificate in Police Executive Leadership Development from the University of Louisville.