Former Jackson Township Police Officer Killed in Motorcycle Crash in Texas

Former Jackson Township Police Officer Killed in Motorcycle Crash in Texas 

FRISCO, TEXAS – John Libby, a former Jackson Township and Pine Beach police officer died while off-duty here after his motorcycle crashed into an SUV on Memorial Day.

The 38-year-old New Jersey native was driving northbound on Custer Road at approximately 11:40 am when he collided with a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was making the turn onto Custer Road, according to the Frisco Police Department. He was pronounced dead after being taken to Baylor Medical Center.

“The McKinney Police Department is saddened to report the death of Officer John Libby. ” said Sgt. Chad Barker, a spokesperson for the McKinney Police Department where Mr. Libby has worked since moving to Texas from New Jersey in 2007, “He has honorably served the citizens of McKinney for nearly six faithful years. John’s commitment to his family, community and fellow officers will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Libby family during this difficult time.”

Libby was hired by the Jackson Police Department in 2007 and graduated from the 77th class of the Ocean County Police Academy in February of 2002 as one of twelve new police officers hired by the township that year.

Jackson Police Officer Fred Meabe, who attended the police academy with Libby said,  ”John Libby was, is a good man, great father and was a respected officer. John was always a fun guy to be around,”

“I have so many memories and stories of John that I will always remember. I remember when he told me that he was moving to Texas to take a police job and, selfishly, I didn’t want him to go.”

Libby also worked for the Pine Beach Police Department. There are no drugs or alcohol suspected. No charges have been filed in this case at this time. The collision is still under investigation.

“He always cared for others, but no more than he did his wife Jen and their kids. John treasured family, and most importantly his. He went to the ends to make sure that they were always secure and taken care of, regardless of what he had to do,” Officer Meabe said.  ”He wanted nothing more than to become a police officer, and he was so proud of the fact that he made it. He is going to be a huge loss to the town of McKinney, to his friends in both New Jersey and Texas and more importantly, to his family. My prayers go out to them forever and always.”

BREAKING: Deputy dies from complications following Windsor Green fire - MyHorryNews.com: Carolina Forest

BREAKING: Deputy dies from complications following Windsor Green fire - MyHorryNews.com: Carolina Forest

A first responder who provided security during the Windsor Green fire of March 16 has died.

Tim Causey, who had been in a medically induced coma following the March 16 fire, passed away Sunday morning, according to the Horry County Sheriff's Office.

"It is with deep regret that we have to report that our friend and coworker, Deputy Sheriff Tim Causey, passed away this morning as has gone to be with the Lord," the sheriff's office said on its Facebook page.

"He passed away around 9am at the Medical University of South Carolina," the post continued. "Please pray for peace, strength and understanding for the Causey family. We will pass along the arrangements as soon as we get them."

Causey worked in the warrants division of the sheriff's office. The Loris area man is survived by his wife, Donna, and two daughters.

Horry County Fire-Rescue released a prepared statement Sunday shortly after news of Causey's passing became public.

"Horry County Fire Rescue is deeply saddened by the news of the loss of Horry County Sheriff’s Deputy, Tim Causey," the statement said.

"It was apparent during the Windsor Green Fires that Deputy Causey had not only a passion for the betterment of the community he served, but for those he worked along side of as well.

"Deputy Causey will be deeply missed, but will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his immediate family, as well as his brothers and sisters in service," the statement concluded.

Horry County Police also released a statement on its Facebook page.

"The Horry County Police Department family mourns with our brothers and sisters at the Horry County Sheriff's Office at the death of Deputy Tim Causey," the statement said. "Rest in Peace Tim, your watch is over. Please pray for his family as well as his law enforcement family during this time."

A few days after the fire, Causey became ill and went to the hospital.

Doctors determined Causey was suffering from smoke inhalation with acute respiratory failure. He was flown to MUSC, where he was also diagnosed with the swine flu.

In April, dozens of residents turned out to Lake Swamp Baptist Church in the Finklea community for a barbecue plate fundraiser for Causey and his family.

“The whole situation is just stressful,”  Sommer Causey, his oldest daughter, said during the benefit. “He’s always been kind and strong. He’s never been selfish. He always cares about others.”

Deputy Causey was helping others when he responded to the Windsor Green fire, which destroyed 26 condominium buildings in Carolina Forest.

Sgt. Jeff Benton, spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said Causey was working within the confines of the Carolina Forest subdivision for three days after the fire.

Benton, the sheriff’s office spokesman, said deputies who worked the fire aren’t exhibiting similar symptoms, and Donna Causey said her husband has never experienced breathing problems in the past.

“We miss him. We are anxious to get him back,” Benton said. “We continue to ask for prayers for this public servant, who has worked tirelessly for 25 years.”

Arrangements hadn't been set as of this posting.

Officer Daryl Raetz Obituary: View Daryl Raetz's Obituary by The Arizona Republic

Officer Daryl Raetz Obituary: View Daryl Raetz's Obituary by The Arizona Republic

Police Officer Daryl Raetz, a six-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, was struck about 3:30 a.m. on May 19, 2013, near 51st and Cambridge avenues, Phoenix Police Department spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.

Raetz was standing in the road processing a suspected DUI driver with two to three other officers when he was struck by an SUV that was going north on 51st Avenue, Thompson said. The SUV driver fled, turning left on Thomas Road.

Raetz was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. He was 29 and had a wife and child. He was also a veteran of the Iraq War.

Published in The Arizona Republic from May 19 to May 20, 2013

Richmond deputy dies from wreck injuries | The Augusta Chronicle

Richmond deputy dies from wreck injuries | The Augusta Chronicle

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle deputy Alton Creech was remembered Friday as a devout Christian, loving husband and loyal public servant.

Several hundred people gathered outside Georgia Regents Medical Center’s emergency room on a warm, humid night to pray for Creech, who died Friday afternoon from injuries he sustained in an off-duty motorcycle crash Thursday.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life? I’m going to tell you that Alton sure did,” said Rev. Kevin Steele, pastor of National Hills Baptist Church where Creech was a member. “While he wasn’t perfect, he understood that he served a perfect maker.”

Creech died at Georgia Regents Medical Center about 4:15 p.m., according to Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins.

Creech, 32, was approaching the Belair Road westbound exit on his Harley-Davidson about 5:15 p.m. Thursday when he hit the back of a 1999 Toyota Camry, said Columbia County sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris.

Creech was airlifted to the hospital.

Skid marks from Creech’s motorcycle, stretching 90 feet, showed he tried to stop before striking the Toyota, Morris said. The driver of the Camry, Rex Reed, 25, of Martinez, was uninjured.

At the candlelit vigil, Richmond County Sheriff’s deputy Billy Hultman urged the gathering to remember Creech’s wife, Amanda, and family in prayer.

“These folks are going to need a lot of shoulders of the next several weeks and months,” Hultman said.

Hultman first met Creech more than 10 years ago when both were teenagers. The two friends reunited when they joined the police force and worked the same shift.

In 2010, Creech won the title of “top shot” in a sheriff’s office shooting competition for the third consecutive year, which was a first for the agency.

“Christ came into this world to give you hope and life,” Steele said during the vigil. “Though it may seem sometimes darkest in the night, know that the dawn always comes in the morning.”

Richmond County Sheriff’s Lt. Lewis Blanchard said funeral arrangements will be announced today.

Press | Newsroom | Ben Cardin - United States Senator for Maryland

Press | Newsroom | Ben Cardin - United States Senator for Maryland

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) has introduced the National Blue Alert Act, S. 357, to create a nationwide alert system to apprehend violent criminals who have seriously injured or killed police officers. The nationwide alert system would be used to disseminate critical information about the suspect to law enforcement agencies, the public and the media. 

In June 2010, Maryland State Trooper Wesley Brown was murdered outside a restaurant in Forestville, MD. At that time, Gov. Martin O’Malley signed an executive order creating the Maryland Blue Alert System.  In 2008, Florida was the first state to implement a Blue Alert System and since then a total of 18 states have created similar alerts programs.

“I am pleased that states like Maryland have taken the lead in creating a ‘Blue Alert’ system patterned after Amber Alerts, which has been used successfully to help apprehend child abductors,” said Senator Cardin.  “We now need to take it to the next level and put in place a national alert system that will ensure the speedy apprehension of violent criminals who have seriously injured or killed law enforcement officers.”

 According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 72 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2011. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers are assaulted every year, and many sustain serious injuries as a result of the attack.

“We are very pleased that this legislation was introduced by Senators Cardin and Graham,” said Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “Law enforcement officers are in harm's way each and every hour of their shift. This Blue Alert legislation provides law enforcement and the public with the tools needed for the expeditious apprehension of our most dangerous assailants -- those who attack a law enforcement officer. This bill is necessary to protect law enforcement officers who patrol our communities every day.”

S. 357 has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Concerns of Police Survivors, and the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York City Police Department. 

Senator Cardin introduced similar legislation in the 111^th and 112^th Congresses. Senate co-sponsors of the National Blue Alert Act include U.S. Senators Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) .

Littleton Police, Friends, Family Remember Officer Killed « CBS Denver

Littleton Police, Friends, Family Remember Officer Killed « CBS Denver

LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4)- There were heavy hearts across Littleton on Friday as police officers said goodbye to one of their own. Officer Kevin Denner was struck and killed while riding his motorcycle on Monday.

Denner was a 10-year veteran of the Littleton Police Department. He worked on cases involving crimes against children.

Denner leaves behind his wife and two young children.

His former partner delivered an emotional speech at Denner’s funeral.

“My friend and our gentle giant, we will all miss you but never, ever forget or dismiss you,” said Officer Krista Bunker. “Kaitlin, Caden and Kristine, this is the only payment I can offer for you for sharing Kevin with us. These people standing behind you will stand behind you today, tomorrow and forever.”

A fund to assist Denner’s family has been set up at the Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union.

Denner was off duty at the time of the crash and police say he was wearing a helmet but it was knocked off by the impact.

Police said they suspect the 37-year-old driver of the car may have been drinking. Jemal Abdelkader Dawed was arrested and faces charges of careless driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol and failure to yield the right of way.

Jemal Abdelkader Dawed (credit: Aurora Police)