Excellent job by the Decatur Police Department. My prayers are with the officer and his family as well as the perp's family.

I find it sad that the headline for this story says, "Man had a history of violence" instead of "man had a troubled mental history."

Mental history problem or not this was a act of violence. Title fits the story. Would you feel as sad if this man had attacked you or your family? He was terrorizing a complete apartment complex.

The problem, that our society does not have the money to properly address, is that people with mental problems that should be institutionized are put out on the streets to live and fend for themselves. This is a problem that will only get worse, no solution is in sight. I actually help manage one, a street person who would like to be institutiionalized, he knows the only way to get committed is to commit a crime but he is just too nice a guy to do anything wrong. Mental Health/Medicaid provide his drug maintenance and I dole out his food and cigarette money twice a week, he lives under bridges and in shelters when it's too cold. Under the Food Stanp Program he does not qualify, because he does not, cannot, work. He does not use alchohol or illegal drugs. Not a happy story but one that needs to be told.

DPD has history of excessive force...

Raymond.....the officer was attacked, can you read?? What a jerk!

Thomas, a person can be committed voluntarily without committing an act of violence. Others just cannot force him to be committed unless he is deemed a danger to himself or others. The man would most likely qualify for food stamps and SSI. If you want to help him, get him to fill out forms for assistance. He does not have to have worked if he is totally disabled.

Excellent job by the DPD and this officer.If this thug had a weapon ,there would be little doubt he would have shot someone.The officer had a dangerous situation to deal with and he didn't have time to wait for back-up.This officer should get a raise and promotion and know he has the support of the citizens he protects. Well done !

Mental illness is a very perplexing problem with no easy solutions. Sad story.

What amazes me is that there are people who will ALWAYS find fault with the DPD and portray the vicitim as innocent.

Since 1993, Lowe had been arrested in Georgia on charges of aggressive assault, violating the controlled substance act, and multiple counts of theft, criminal trespass, simple assault, simple battery and making terrorist threats. And we are feeling sorry for HIM why? Good job DPD.

This is such a sad story. I live with bipolar disease and the stigma. I don't suffer as Bobby did as my bipolar disease is not as bad as his was and I stay on my medication which controls it. The officer did exactly what he should have under the situation. Regardless of income or situation there is help. 20 years ago I committed myself and was in a hospital for 2 and a half weeks. I was, at one point going to leave due to threats by my ex-husband which would have been deemed as Leaving against medical advice. My doctor told me if I left I would be responsible for the entire bill. I did not have any insurance at the time, not even medicaid and I was VERY poor with three small children. He told me if I stayed he would personally guarantee me that I would not recieve the first bill. I stayed and never got one bill for my stay which totaled in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I do not regret it. I have been stabilized since then and always take my meds. It was Bobby's responsibility to take his meds and not get off of them. There is help out there. You just have to look for it and ask for it. He attacked the officer and tried to get his gun. In the mental state he was in and with alcohol fueling further he would have killed someone and maybe multiple people. Of course then he would be institutionalized but too late.Don't blame the officer for saving lives and not just his own. He did exactly what he should have no matter how sad it is. And if he has a conscience this will bother him for the rest of his life so let the man have some peace. I am sure he is going through enough right now as it is.

Well, look at the bright side, Mister Bobby Lowe will not be bothering any one in the future, and the police officer saved the tax payers of Alabama a lot of money.

GOOD JOB BY DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT!!!!!!!!!!

To bad Raymond wasnt there to handle the situation, the entire problem could have been avoided.

This is so sad. I am sorry for the man's family and friends but I am also sorry for the police officer. It has to be awful for him to know that he killed a man even when it was self-defense. My prayers are with all involved.

John from Decatur.......... kind and thoughtful remark.