1998

January 2, 1998 Motor Officer Douglas Edward Knutson Arizona Highway Patrol  Officer Douglas Edward Knutson is the first Arizona Highway Patrol Motor Officerkilled in the line of duty. Officer Knutson was killed on January 2, 1998 when a motorist collided with him while he was stopped towing an abandoned vehicle along the highway in Tempe, Arizona.  Doug was the type of Officer that we all strive to be. Doug was a father that left behind a wife and two children. Ten years prior to his death he lost his oldest son when he was run over by an impaired driver as he walked along a residential sidewalk. Some of Doug's duties were with S.W.A.T., Governor's security, undercover narcotics and alcohol enforcement.  Doug had 12 years of service before he was taken from us.

January 7, 1998 Motor Ofc. Scott M. Greenly California Highway Patrol - San Jose  January 7, 1998 - At approximately 1700 hours, San Jose unit 24-88, Officer Scott M. Greenly, 31, #14325, made an enforcement stop on a 1988 Ford P/U for following too closely, northbound SR 85 south of Saratoga avenue. Officer Greenly made a right side approach, and while he was conversing with the violator, he was struck by a vehicle approaching from behind at an unknown speed. The errant vehicle had driven off the roadway onto the raised freeway embankment, passing the patrol car and striking the officer The errant vehicle had been observed by citizens speeding and weaving prior to running off the roadway. The driver and vehicle traveled approximately 200 feet before colliding with the r/r fender of the violator's vehicle and the officer.Officer Greenly sustained extensive injuries as a result of the impact. Officer Greenly was transported to Valley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries at 6:33 pm. The driver was charged with 2nd degree murder on February 25, 1998. Captain Follett, who supervised Scott for most of his career said: "When Scott was on his motorcycle his smile was almost electric, in fact I imagine he is now riding safely in heaven providing 'Safety and Service' to others." "Being a typical suspicious cop, I wondered what he was up to with his wonderful smile. It did not take me long to realize that he shared his wonderful smile and kind heart with everyone he met." "He was the heart and soul of generosity."

February 02, 1998 Officer William Herman Edwards III Henrico County Police Department, VA Patrolman Bill Edward's was a 28 - year veteran Police Officer with the Henrico County VA Police who was killed in the line of duty on February 2nd 1998 while performing a funeral escort for a Hanover County Va Sheriff's Officer, when a Flat-bed wrecker drove through the funeral procession and collided with Bill Edward's Motorcycle, Bill was killed instantly.  Bill was Harley rider through and through and everybody loved Bill.  Bill Died doing what he knew and loved best.

April 23, 1998 Deputy Kenneth Wade Holland Benton County Sheriff's Office, AR Deputy Holland was killed in a motorycle accident while returning from a state required training session. No additional information is currently available.

April 25, 1998  Motor Officer David Chetcuti Millbrae, CA Motor Officer David Chetcuti responded to a call for help from  San Bruno Police Officer Seann Graham , who was under gun fire from a suspect on  Highway 101.  Officer Graham had made a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation and became immediately under gun fire from the driver using a rifle. Officer Graham immediately dove behind his police vehicle and radioed for help.  Officer Chetcuti responded to the call for help on his police motorcycle.  Officer Chetcuti arrived and  was wounded by the suspect. Officer Chetcuti fired back and was able to wound the suspect before collapsing.  The suspect then fired several more shots at Officer Chetcuti at close range, mortally wounding him.  Officer Chetcuti died at the scene.

April 26, 1998 Sergeant Morris Cavaliere Jr. New Orleans Police Department, LA Officer Cavaliere died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident a few hours earlier while he was escorting a wedding procession. The procession had slowed down and one of the vehicles stopped to let a car cross through an intersection. The car began to proceed through the intersection in an attempt to beat the procession. Officer Cavaliere's motorcycle struck the side of the car. He is survived by his wife, four-year-old son, parents, brother, and two sisters.

September 21, 1998 Police Officer Ronnie Ray Lerma Garland Police Department, TX Officer Lerma was killed after being struck by a van during a traffic stop. As Officer Lerma was reaching over his motorcycle to get out his ticket book the van pulled into the median and struck him, throwing him down the highway. The van also struck the vehicle which Officer Lerma had pulled over, pushing it into oncoming traffic and killing the driver. The driver of the van was injured in the accident and admitted to the hospital. Officer Lerma is survived by his wife and two children.

October 05, 1998 Police Officer Rueben Isaac Jones Miami-Dade Police Department, FL Officer Jones died approximately a month after being struck by a vehicle while on his police motorcycle. Officer Jones was working at the Miami Dolphin's game when the accident occurred. He was driving behind a Chevy Blazer, which suddenly made a U-turn, causing him to strike the driver's side door. Officer Jones was airlifted to a local hospital where he remained until he passed away on October 5, 1998. He is survived by his two sons and two daughters.

Oct. 1998 Thomas Skaff (Sergeant) Sioux City Police Department By Sioux City Police Department, Sioux City, IA, USA Thomas Skaff was killed in Oct. 1998 on his was home, He was off duty at the time and was killed by a man driving the wrong way down an off ramp. That man ran into Tom on his motorcycle. That person was found with narcotics in his body. Tom left a deep impact on his Community, his friends, and his family. He was a Sgt. for the Sioux City Police Dept. He will be sorely missed.  We already miss you Tom!

December 09, 1998 Officer Rick Charles Cromwell Lodi Police Department, CA Officer Cromwell, who was in pursuit of a speeder, died instantly from the accident that caused the officer to break his neck and suffer massive head trauma, according to the San Joaquin County Coroner's report. He was patrolling Kettleman Lane as part of a departmental campaign to reduce speeding on the busy thoroughfare, reported Lodi Police Chief Larry Hansen. He was eastbound pursuing a motorist when Ione resident Jasper Laraway, 85, attempted to make a left turn out of the Vineyard Shopping Center and drove into Cromwell's path, Hansen said. Laraway apparently didn't see Cromwell approaching.  Witnesses stated that Cromwell laid his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on its side in an attempt to stop before hitting Laraway's vehicle. A witness to the accident, Josephine Potter of Lodi who knew Cromwell from meetings of the Lodi Eagles fraternal organization, remembered saying to herself, " 'Lay it down, lay it down.'  "Hansen stated, "He was a good friend and officer who gave of himself for a job that he loved. Lodi lost a good police officer, a good husband, father, son, brother and neighbor, when Officer Rick Cromwell died. Thousands of people in Lodi lost a friend, a dedicated public servant and a real-life hero. In serving this country, he has laid down his life."