RUTLAND, Vt. – A Vermont police officer was killed and two different officers have been injured when a housebreaking suspect crashed into two police cruisers pursuing him, Vermont State Police mentioned.
Rutland Metropolis Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, 19, was killed on Friday afternoon. The crash occurred as police chased a car pushed by Tate Rheaume, 20, a suspect in an tried break-in at a home, state police mentioned.
Proof signifies that Rheaume crossed the centerline and collided head-on with the Ebbighausen’s cruiser, police mentioned. The suspect’s truck additionally hit one other police cruiser.
Ebbighausen was pronounced useless on the scene. Two different officers and Rheaume have been taken to Rutland Regional Medical Middle for what are believed to be non-life-threatening accidents, police mentioned. Rheaume was transferred to the College of Vermont Medical Middle in Burlington.
State police mentioned they’re investigating the function impairment and pace performed within the crash and are working with the Rutland County state’s legal professional on potential costs. It was not instantly recognized if Rheaume is being represented by an legal professional.
Ebbighausen, of Ira, Vermont, began working with the Rutland Police Division in Might as a part-time officer, state police mentioned. She was scheduled to start out coaching in August on the Vermont Police Academy to develop into a full-time officer, police mentioned.
“We’re hurting proper now,” mentioned Rutland Metropolis Police Chief Brian Kilcullen on Friday as he requested for group assist, in response to the Rutland Herald.
Ebbighausen had wished to be a police officer since she was 9 years outdated, Kilcullen mentioned. She did an internship with the police division throughout highschool, he mentioned.
“She all the time had a smile on her face,” Kilcullen mentioned. “We have been wanting ahead to having her as a part of our household.”
The division had lately modified its insurance policies to discourage high-speed pursuits, he mentioned, however didn’t talk about the modifications additional on Friday, the newspaper reported.
“I’m right here at this time to mourn, actually, the lack of a member of the family,” he mentioned. “The state police are conducting the investigation. In some unspecified time in the future, we’ll evaluation every little thing.”
Earlier than Ebbighausen’s demise, 28 Vermont officers had died within the line of obligation, together with 2 in car pursuits, in response to the Officer Down Memorial Web page, which tracks regulation enforcement deaths. Of these Vermont officers whose ages are listed, she was by far the youngest.
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