The Washington County Sheriff's Department recently received a $5,000 grant to be used in the fight against domestic violence.

According to Sheriff Richard Stringer, the grant was received through the Mobile County District Attorney's Office and must be directed toward the costs associated with providing services related to domestic violence cases. "We appreciate Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson applying for the grant and helping us obtain these funds," he said. "These cases are difficult for officers to work because they never know what they will face when going on a domestic violence call."

Stringer knows just how dangerous such calls can be. He was shot in the back in 1978 while assisting the Washington County Sheriff's Department with a domestic violence call. Although he was wearing a bullet-proof vest, he received buckshot wounds to his back and neck after being shot with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Although his wounds have long since healed, Stringer said he still remembers the incident as if it happened yesterday. "Being shot is something you never forget," he added.

Two years ago a committee was formed in Washington County to combat domestic violence. It is made up of members of the legal community as well as representatives of the department of human resources, mental health professionals, victims' advocates, area clergy, local law enforcement agencies and the media.