May 18th, 2018
Corporal Judd (Nick) Crepeau, senior detective in the Homicide Unit, is our Officer of the Year.
Crepeau has demonstrated very high-quality investigative skills, superior interview techniques and strong-willed motivation, which contributed significantly to an above average homicide clearance rate in 2017. His personal clearance rate was 100 percent. He generated and completed 34 major case investigations.
Committed to obtaining successful outcomes in his investigations, Crepeau has dedicated countless hours toward resolving investigations, oftentimes working days with very little to no sleep.
Here are a few examples of the professional commitment that Crepeau has delivered to the department.
THE CASE OF 23-YEAR-OLD KELEI MORRIS, GUNNED DOORED AT HER DOOR AND KILLED
Crepeau was assigned one of the most difficult and heartbreaking cases. On February 2, 2015, Kelei Morris, 23, was murdered. Morris was a nurse at Mobile Infirmary. She had just gotten off work and was about to walk into her apartment. This is when she was gunned down at her door and killed. Through Crepeau’s investigation, he quickly developed the prime suspect along with an accomplice. Crepeau worked on this case diligently for the next two years.
During early 2017, Crepeau could not put this case out of his mind. He spent many hours, days and months working on the case to bring justice for Kelei Morris and her family. Crepeau prepared one of his largest, most complicated case files and presented it to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, who was on board with Crepeau. The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office agreed to present the case to a Grand Jury where they would receive an indictment for murder on both suspects. On March 20, 2017, Crepeau along with other members of the Homicide Unit took one of the suspects into custody at his apartment. His accomplice was taken into custody in Denver, Colorado.
THE CASE OF “WHO DONE IT” — NO EVIDENCE, NO EYE-WITNESSES
On June 16, 2017 at approximately 6:55 a.m., the Homicide Unit was called to investigate the shooting death of Eppie Farris. Farris was found behind a vacant residence on Caroline Avenue. This case was one that had little to no evidence, no eye-witnesses, and was considered a “who done it”. Crepeau was assigned this case and immediately began tracking down leads.
On July 29, 2017 at approximately 9:40 a.m., the Homicide Unit was called to investigate the shooting death of Christopher Coleman. Coleman was found in the street in front of a residence on Fry Street. A little over a month had lapsed and Crepeau was assigned another “who done it”. Crepeau began to work on this case, tracking down leads and gathering surveillance video. Shortly after the Coleman homicide, Crepeau received information on the Farris case. Over the course of this investigation, Crepeau obtained information that linked him to the prime suspect connected to the death of Farris. While looking into this suspect, Crepeau found evidence that linked the suspect to the murder of both Farris and Coleman.
THE CASE OF 5-YEAR-OLD KAMDEN JOHNSON, FOUND DECEASED OFF DEMETROPOLIS ROAD
On August 21, 2017 at 2:50 p.m., Crepeau was tasked with investigating the death of 5-year-old Kamden Johnson, who was found deceased lying on the ground in the front yard of a residence off Demetropolis Road. Johnson was discovered by a young girl who was walking home from school. Crepeau was able to identify the person responsible for the death of Johnson, took her into custody and recovered evidence to support his case, all within the same day.
Crepeau continues to demonstrate excellence as he goes the extra mile on each investigation – whether he is the lead investigator or assisting other members of the Homicide Team. His level of professionalism as an investigator is an example for others to follow.
MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT