Huntsville, AL – Huntsville Police Department (HPD) Officer Keith Earle died on Monday, after he was severely injured in an on-duty motor vehicle collision on Mar. 26.

Officer Earle, a 26-year-veteran of the HPD, had been hospitalized since the head-on crash, which occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Pulaski Pike and Grizzard Road, WHNT reported.

It was unclear whether Officer Earle succumbed to injuries he sustained during the collision, or if another medical issue arose.

The driver of the second vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries, multiple news outlets reported.

“It is with great sadness to inform every one of the passing of Officer Keith Earle this afternoon,” the HPD said in a news release, according to The Birmingham News.

“We are attempting to get answers to many questions that we all have,” the statement, according to continued. “We will be respecting the family’s wishes during this time so please be patient as we know everyone has questions surrounding these circumstances. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

On Monday afternoon, HPD Chief Mark McMurray asked all Huntsville officers to honor Officer Earle’s service by draping their badges.

“We will begin draping badges immediately until midnight on the date of the burial,” Chief McMurray said in a Facebook post. “Keep the Earle family in your prayers.”

In the wake of the officer’s death, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle also issued a statement on behalf of him and his wife.

“Eula and I are praying for the family of Officer Keith Earl and everyone in the Huntsville Police Department,” Battle said, according to WHNT. “We offer our deepest condolences as our community mourns his loss and remembers his service.”

Funeral arrangements for the fallen hero have not been announced.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Huntsville Police Department Officer Keith Earle, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.