Eufaula Police Chief Expresses Grief, Heartbreak Over Deadly Bank Robbery

The 911 calls from the deadly Eufaula bank robbery reveal the chaos on the scene.

Four people were shot, and two of them died in less than two hours’ time.

The calls are dramatic and devastating. In them, you can hear officers try to sort out the information to understand what's happening.

1/25/2016 Related Story: 911 Calls Help Tell Story Of Deadly Eufaula Bank Robbery

The deadly bank robbery lasted just 63 seconds, and the first 911 call came in 28 seconds later.

"We've had a shooting at Bank of Eufaula and we need an ambulance. We have people hurt,” the caller said.

Eufaula Police Chief Don Murray said Cedric Norris entered the bank and shot and killed bank president Randy Peterson.

"The biggest heartbreak that I have, personally, on this entire event...my job as police chief is to protect the people of this community. I failed. If I hadn't failed Randy would be here," Murray said.

Police said Norris then went to a teller to get money, shot and wounded bank employee, Betty Howell, when she wouldn't go with him, then took a customer, Julie Huff, hostage.

Caller: "I need an ambulance, Bank of Eufaula's been robbed and a person's been shot."
Operator: "I'm getting EMS in route. How many people's been hurt? Just one?"
Caller: "Two."

Police said Norris forced Huff to drive his stolen SUV.

A chase ensued, and less than ten minutes later, Norris crashed. Police closed in and said Norris got out and fired at the two officers on scene.

Officers were firing back when police say Huff got out of the vehicle and Norris pulled her onto him, using her as a shield from gunfire.

"Get Lifeflight in the air, our hostage is gonna be having multiple gunshot wounds - advising one of them's to her head," one officer advised.

Roughly 50 rounds were fired, but Murray believes it could have been worse.

"If officers had not gotten the vehicle stopped when they did, the hostage would have been killed," he said.

Peterson's funeral is Tuesday in Eufaula.

Both Howell and Huff survived. Huff faces multiple surgeries, and a long road to recovery.