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GARDENDALE - A Fultondale police officer died this morning after it appears he had a heart attack and crashed his patrol car into the gym where he was headed for his daily workout.

(PHOTO) - Officer David Riddlesperger and Wife Betty

Officer David Riddlesperger, 48, a former veteran Birmingham police officer, was pronounced dead at 6:58 a.m. at UAB Hospital, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.

The accident happened in Gardendale at SWATS gym on Decatur Highway.

Christopher Key, vice president of SWATS, said Riddlesperger came to work out at the gym most mornings at 6 a.m. About that time, Key heard a loud crash and his building shook.

"I thought there was an earthquake," he said.

Key found Riddlesperger inside his car, unconscious, with his foot still on the accelerator. Key said he and other workers were unable to pull him from the car.

Police and paramedics arrived and rushed Riddlesperger to UAB. His wife was rushed to the hospital by Fultondale officers. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and two sons, Hunter and Morgan.

"Our officers do a lot of community policing, and he was great at all aspects of the job,'' Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery said this morning. "He seemed to have a real compassion for people, and helping them. He is really going to be missed."