A bank teller’s calm, trained response may have avoided possible injury when the Broad Street branch of SouthTrust Bank was robbed Thursday morning, according to Selma police.

The bank was robbed at approximately 9:15 a.m. by a black male.

He then approached one of the tellers in what seemed to be a normal bank transaction. However, the transaction ended up being anything but normal, said Capt. Joe Harrell, chief of detectives at the Selma Police Department.

Harrell said the teller received a note from the male, telling her that he was in possession of a weapon and demanding an undisclosed amount of cash.

The teller immediately gave the suspect the cash, whereupon he then fled from the scene, Harrell said.

Law enforcement was then notified. Harrell said the police department along with FBI officials are investigating the incident, and that a surveillance tape at the bank is also being reviewed.

Harrell said he could not provide any more details about the description of the suspect at this time.

Harrell, when asked about the conduct of the employee, said the employee “did exactly the right thing.”

“Handing over the cash is exactly what she should have done,” Harrell said. “You do not ever want to put your life in jeopardy over something like that. That was right thing to do.”

Harrell said the last big bank robbery to hit Selma happened two to three years ago at the Mutual Savings Credit Union, formerly located on Highland Avenue .

FBI spokesman Ray Zicarelli could not be reached for comment on the incident.