City celebrates street renaming with dedication ceremony

A large crowd gathered Friday morning at the Tuscaloosa Environmental Services building in honor of fallen Tuscaloosa Police Officer Dornell Cousette, whose name now adorns a street section officers commonly take when arriving and leaving work.

Cousette, who worked for TPD for 13 years, was killed in the line of duty Sept. 16, 2019. Luther Watkins is charged with capital murder in his death, and his case has not yet gone to trial.

The city of Tuscaloosa voted in August to rename the portion of 25th Street between Greensboro Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in his honor, and the street signs appeared in late November.

The area was chosen because it’s the road Tuscaloosa Police officers most frequently use at the beginning and end of their shifts.

“My heart is overwhelmed,” said Tuscaloosa Police Chief Sebo Sanders. “I am just happy because Dornell was my friend. It was a rough time for me, but seeing this dedication today, it brings joy to my heart that my friend’s death wasn’t in vain.”

During the ceremony, Cousette’s young daughters were presented with his posthumously awarded medals of honor.