SkiDevil
06-11-10, 18:25
California officer killed during 100-mph pursuit
(AP) – 55 minutes ago
REDLANDS, Calif. — A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer chasing four suspects in San Bernardino County smashed into a tractor-trailer and was killed Friday morning in a pursuit authorities said reached 100 mph.
The accident happened after seven-year veteran Tom Coleman tried to pull over a car suspected of vehicle code violations, but the driver refused to stop and fled, CHP spokesman Daniel Hesser said. Coleman gave chase, but crashed a few minutes later, his motorcycle bursting into flames as he landed several yards away.
He was pronounced dead at the Redlands intersection around 6:30 a.m., Hesser said.
The suspects' car crashed into a curb several blocks away. The four occupants were captured and arrested on undisclosed charges, Hesser said.
Coleman, whose age was not released, was married with two children.
At the scene, the badly charred, mangled wreckage of his motorcycle and his helmet lay nearby. Officers lined up and saluted their fallen colleague as his body was removed on a gurney covered with an American flag.
Gov. Arnold Schwazenegger offered his condolenses to Coleman's family and ordered flags at the state Capitol to fly at half staff for three days.
"Officer Thomas Coleman committed his life to protecting the safety of the people of California," Schwazenegger said. "He was an outstanding officer who demonstrated his dedication and selflessness through his hard work in the line of duty."
Coleman is the second CHP motorcycle officer involved in a serious crash this week. Phillip Ortiz, a 27-year veteran, remained in critical condition Friday after being hit by a motorist Wednesday on a freeway shoulder in Los Angeles. The CHP said his condition was not expected to improve anytime soon.
CHP has a peer support network and mandates grief counseling for officers who knew the victims, said CHP spokesman Leland Tang. But he added that with such serious accidents, even officers who are not personally acquainted with the victims are affected.
"It hits home as to the dangerous nature of our job," Tang said. "It reminds us to be extra careful. It hits all of us."
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article
/ALeqM5hM7f_njh4Oyb9meJ_2oERwCtKAPAD9G9B9DO1
It has been a tough couple of days for the CHP. One Motor Officer killed today and another (Phillip Ortiz) still lays in the hospital in critical condition after being struck by a driver illegally driving on the shoulder of the freeway after he initiated a Traffic Stop. God willing he will recover soon.
Also, this afternoon, an LAPD Motor Officer was involved in a Traffic Collision on a local Los Angeles freeway. He was transported to a local hospitial for treatment and was described as coherent and conscious. An investigation into the cause of the accident is on-going.
Working a traffic assignment is sometimes looked-down upon by some. But in my humble opinion, these Officers are very Brave Men and Women and work to keep the rest of us and our families safe on the road. I feel that the Motor and Traffic Officers are a brave and dedicated lot. My hat is off to them for the good work they do.
Words simply cannot describe what Officer Tom Coleman's family are going through. I hope they find some solace in that his ultimate sacrifice was a noble one protecting his fellow citizens and community.
Rest In Peace, Brother.
(AP) – 55 minutes ago
REDLANDS, Calif. — A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer chasing four suspects in San Bernardino County smashed into a tractor-trailer and was killed Friday morning in a pursuit authorities said reached 100 mph.
The accident happened after seven-year veteran Tom Coleman tried to pull over a car suspected of vehicle code violations, but the driver refused to stop and fled, CHP spokesman Daniel Hesser said. Coleman gave chase, but crashed a few minutes later, his motorcycle bursting into flames as he landed several yards away.
He was pronounced dead at the Redlands intersection around 6:30 a.m., Hesser said.
The suspects' car crashed into a curb several blocks away. The four occupants were captured and arrested on undisclosed charges, Hesser said.
Coleman, whose age was not released, was married with two children.
At the scene, the badly charred, mangled wreckage of his motorcycle and his helmet lay nearby. Officers lined up and saluted their fallen colleague as his body was removed on a gurney covered with an American flag.
Gov. Arnold Schwazenegger offered his condolenses to Coleman's family and ordered flags at the state Capitol to fly at half staff for three days.
"Officer Thomas Coleman committed his life to protecting the safety of the people of California," Schwazenegger said. "He was an outstanding officer who demonstrated his dedication and selflessness through his hard work in the line of duty."
Coleman is the second CHP motorcycle officer involved in a serious crash this week. Phillip Ortiz, a 27-year veteran, remained in critical condition Friday after being hit by a motorist Wednesday on a freeway shoulder in Los Angeles. The CHP said his condition was not expected to improve anytime soon.
CHP has a peer support network and mandates grief counseling for officers who knew the victims, said CHP spokesman Leland Tang. But he added that with such serious accidents, even officers who are not personally acquainted with the victims are affected.
"It hits home as to the dangerous nature of our job," Tang said. "It reminds us to be extra careful. It hits all of us."
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article
/ALeqM5hM7f_njh4Oyb9meJ_2oERwCtKAPAD9G9B9DO1
It has been a tough couple of days for the CHP. One Motor Officer killed today and another (Phillip Ortiz) still lays in the hospital in critical condition after being struck by a driver illegally driving on the shoulder of the freeway after he initiated a Traffic Stop. God willing he will recover soon.
Also, this afternoon, an LAPD Motor Officer was involved in a Traffic Collision on a local Los Angeles freeway. He was transported to a local hospitial for treatment and was described as coherent and conscious. An investigation into the cause of the accident is on-going.
Working a traffic assignment is sometimes looked-down upon by some. But in my humble opinion, these Officers are very Brave Men and Women and work to keep the rest of us and our families safe on the road. I feel that the Motor and Traffic Officers are a brave and dedicated lot. My hat is off to them for the good work they do.
Words simply cannot describe what Officer Tom Coleman's family are going through. I hope they find some solace in that his ultimate sacrifice was a noble one protecting his fellow citizens and community.
Rest In Peace, Brother.