| November 21,
2003
Police Officer James O'Brien Temple Police Department, TX Officer O'Brien
was killed in a motorcycle accident on North 31st Street at 1600 hours
while en route to provide a police escort. His motorcycle struck the back
of a vehicle that was stopped in the left lane attempting to make a left-hand
turn. Officer O'Brien was transported to Scott and White Hospital where
he succumbed to his injuries.
|
| November 21,
2003
Police Officer John Samra Clifton Police Department, NJ Officer Samra was killed when his motorcycle was intentionally struck by the driver of a mini-van attempting to elude him. Officer Samra
was on patrol when he stopped the suspect's vehicle at approximately 1000
hours. The driver of the vehicle, who had recently been released from prison
on parole, fled in the vehicle. Officer Samra got back on his motorcycle
and pursued the suspect. Officer Samra went to the corner of Maple Place
and Washington Avenue in an attempt to cut off the suspect, but the suspect
intentionally rammed the officer's motorcycle with his van, which was traveling
approximately 50 MPH.
Officer Samra is the first Clifton Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty since the agency was created in 1920. |
| November 19,
2003
Officer Dean Beattie California Highway Patrol, CA Officer Beattie was killed while attempting to pass a slow-moving truck on Route 163, near I-8, in San Diego County at 1255 hours. Officer Beattie had been following the truck when he activated his emergency lights. He accelerated to approximately 60 mph, and attempted to pass it on the right hand shoulder. His BMW patrol motorcycle struck the truck near the right-hand wheel well and he was thrown to the ground. Officer Beattie did not make radio contact prior to the accident. It is not known why he activated his emergency equipment. He was transported
to Sharp Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time
later.
|
| October 17,
2003
Police Officer Thomas Morash West Palm Beach Police Department, FL Officer Morash was killed when his motorcycle struck a vehicle as he was responding to a call of a minor traffic accident. As he was driving south on Dixie Highway, a woman driving a Honda Civic turned into Officer Morash's path. The impact catapulted Officer Morash from the seat of his 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King onto the pavement. Officer Morash was removed to St. Mary's Medical Center where he died from his injuries. The driver of the Honda was arrested and charged with driving without a valid driver license, causing a death, and violating the right of way. Officer Morash had served with the West Palm Beach Police Department for 12 years and had previously served with the Fort Pierce Police Department. He is survived by his wife and daughter. |
| September 21,
2003
Corporal Tyler Matthew Pinchot Buena Park Police Department, CA Corporal Pinchot succumbed to injuries sustained three months earlier when his police motorcycle was struck from behind. Corporal Pinchot was attempting to stop a traffic violator on Orangethorpe Avenue when another car struck his motorcycle. He was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center where he remained in critical condition until passing away. Corporal Pinchot had served with the Buena Park Police Department for 23 years and is survived by his wife, three stepchildren, parents, and five siblings |
| September 20,
2003
Senior Constable John Paul Flagg Ontario Provincial Police, ON Age: 54 OPP officers were involved with a fleeing suspect vehicle on March Road, near Golden Line Road in Mississippi Mills Township. A collision occurred involving a stolen jeep, a pick-up truck and an OPP Motorcycle Unit. As a result of this collision, 54-year-old Senior Constable John Paul Flagg succumbed to his injuries in Almonte Hospital. Senior Constable Flagg began his career in July 1968 as a cadet. More recently he was posted to the Kingston Detachment and for the past few years he has worked with the Eastern Region R.I.D.E Unit, stationed out of Quinte. "John was an extremely dedicated police officer with a passion for traffic safety," said OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface. "He was very personable and always the gentleman. Once again, we grieve the loss of another fellow officer." |
| August 27,
2003
Officer Shannon Distel California Highway Patrol, CA Officer Distel was killed in a motorcycle accident while on patrol on Van Buren Boulevard, near Dauchy Avenue, in Riverside County. A pickup truck pulling a trailer turned left in front him, causing a collision. Officer Distel's motorcycle became wedged in between the truck and trailer and he was thrown 50 yards. He was transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. Officer Distel is survived by his wife and infant child. |
| July 23, 2003
Officer Ryan Keith Goto Honolulu Police Department, HI Officer Goto was killed when his police motorcycle was struck head-on by another vehicle on Farrington Highway near La'aloa Street. A pickup truck being driven in the opposite direction had swerved to avoid debris in the roadway and was struck by another car. The collision forced the truck to cross the median and it struck Officer Goto and two other motorcycle officers. Officer Goto was transported to St. Francis Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The other two officers were taken to a different hospital in serious condition. A 10-year-old girl in one of the other vehicles was also killed. Officer Goto had been in law enforcement for 13 years and is survived by his 6-year-old son, fiancée, and father. |
| June 26, 2003
Police Officer Terry Bennett San Diego Police Department, CA Officer Bennett was killed when his police motorcycle was intentionally rammed during a vehicle pursuit at 1220 hours. He was chasing a stolen pickup truck when the driver made a u turn and collided into his motorcycle at Kenwood Street and Iona Drive. After knocking Officer Bennett off of the bike, the man turned around and ran over him as he fled. The suspect was apprehended approximately ten minutes later. Officer Bennett was transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital where he died of his injuries approximately three hours later. Officer Bennett had been with the San Diego Police Department for 13 years and is survived by his wife and two young children. |
| June 24, 2003
Inglewood Police Department, CA Officer John Frederick Lee (Fred) Small Officer Small was killed in a motorcycle accident on I-60 near Grand Avenue. A car traveling in the same direction on I-60 two lanes over, went out of control and struck a car in the lane next to Officer Small. These two vehicles then collided into Officer Small's motorcycle. Officer Small was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital where he died of his injuries early the next morning. Officer Small had been with Inglewood Police Department for five years and had also served as an officer for the Westminster Police Department and the Los Angeles Community College Police Department. He is survived by his wife and four children. |
| March 26, 2003
Sergeant David P. Land Forsyth County Sheriff's Department, GA Sergeant Land was killed in a motorcycle accident while responding to a fight call at approximately 1600 hours. His police motorcycle collided with two vehicles on Highway 20 just south of Georgia 400. Sergeant Land had been promoted to sergeant only two days earlier. He had been with the agency for five years and is survived by his wife and daughter. |