DETROIT, MI - While heading home from work early Sunday morning on January 5th, a detroit police officer was killed in a hit-and-run after his vehicle rolled over after being struck by a van that had made an illegal turn. The driver of that van fled the scene.
According to the Detroit Free Press, 32-year-old Officer Cameron Richardson died in the hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Hoover and Greiner, near Seven Mile Road, on the city's northeast side. Police have since identified the suspect who was driving the van and are seeking to arrest him.
During a news conference Sunday afternoon, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said that Richardson was heading home after his shift at the 9th Precinct and was northbound on Hoover at Greiner when his car was struck by a white van whose driver made an illegal turn.
Richardson's vehicle rolled over from the impact and the driver of the van fled the scene. Bettison said, "This is definitely a tragic day for the department." According to WXYZ, a 911 call was received shortly after midnight early Sunday morning. Bettison said that officers responding to the scene found Richardson's body, adding that the officer "didn't suffer."
The suspect is reportedly 28-years-old, but their name has not yet been released. Although identified, the suspect is not yet in custody. Bettison said, "He hasn't turned himself in, we will have him shortly. We are in close contact with the suspect's family and we believe he will turn himself in."
Shortly after the crash, Michigan State Police troopers located the van near the scene. The drive had fled before police go there, but two other people who were in the van were taken into custody. Troopers also found a weapon in the front seat.
Prior to working for the Detroit Police Department, Richardson served in the military for 10 years. He had been on the force for about one year before being killed. He leaves behind two daughters, ages 12 and 14. Bettison said, "We will never forget him. He has two daughters and we are going to wrap our hands totally around this family right here."
Richardson's parents did not speak at the press conference Bettison was speaking at, but they did talk to 7 News Reporter Faraz Jared ahead of it. John Harris, Richardson's father said, "(He was) quiet, loving, funny. He just did 10 years in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Seattle. He retired after doing 10 years of service ... his goal was to be a police officer. He's got two daughters that he loved dearly and they wanted him here."
Mona, Richardson's mother said, "I had just talked to him around the same time. We said we loved each other at the end, that was the most important to me, but he was telling me he would be going on vacation to Brazil next month." Both John and Mona said Richardson was a great dad. Harris said, "He sacrificed so much for his kids. As he was growing, we never had any problems with him, never got into trouble. Was always quiet, very respectful."
Bettison said, "The way he wears the uniform, whether it was serving his country, serving the men and women, serving the citizens of this fine city, I would say a humble servent. He was just a servant. He served, he wanted to be a Detroit Police Officer." A GoFundMe has been set up to help with his kids' education.
According to the Detroit Free Press, 32-year-old Officer Cameron Richardson died in the hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Hoover and Greiner, near Seven Mile Road, on the city's northeast side. Police have since identified the suspect who was driving the van and are seeking to arrest him.
During a news conference Sunday afternoon, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said that Richardson was heading home after his shift at the 9th Precinct and was northbound on Hoover at Greiner when his car was struck by a white van whose driver made an illegal turn.
Richardson's vehicle rolled over from the impact and the driver of the van fled the scene. Bettison said, "This is definitely a tragic day for the department." According to WXYZ, a 911 call was received shortly after midnight early Sunday morning. Bettison said that officers responding to the scene found Richardson's body, adding that the officer "didn't suffer."
The suspect is reportedly 28-years-old, but their name has not yet been released. Although identified, the suspect is not yet in custody. Bettison said, "He hasn't turned himself in, we will have him shortly. We are in close contact with the suspect's family and we believe he will turn himself in."
Shortly after the crash, Michigan State Police troopers located the van near the scene. The drive had fled before police go there, but two other people who were in the van were taken into custody. Troopers also found a weapon in the front seat.
Prior to working for the Detroit Police Department, Richardson served in the military for 10 years. He had been on the force for about one year before being killed. He leaves behind two daughters, ages 12 and 14. Bettison said, "We will never forget him. He has two daughters and we are going to wrap our hands totally around this family right here."
Richardson's parents did not speak at the press conference Bettison was speaking at, but they did talk to 7 News Reporter Faraz Jared ahead of it. John Harris, Richardson's father said, "(He was) quiet, loving, funny. He just did 10 years in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Seattle. He retired after doing 10 years of service ... his goal was to be a police officer. He's got two daughters that he loved dearly and they wanted him here."
Mona, Richardson's mother said, "I had just talked to him around the same time. We said we loved each other at the end, that was the most important to me, but he was telling me he would be going on vacation to Brazil next month." Both John and Mona said Richardson was a great dad. Harris said, "He sacrificed so much for his kids. As he was growing, we never had any problems with him, never got into trouble. Was always quiet, very respectful."
Bettison said, "The way he wears the uniform, whether it was serving his country, serving the men and women, serving the citizens of this fine city, I would say a humble servent. He was just a servant. He served, he wanted to be a Detroit Police Officer." A GoFundMe has been set up to help with his kids' education.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2025-01-07T22:37-0500 | Comment by: James
THAT thin blue line rag of a so called flag, I find OFFENSIVE ........ It needs to be trampled into the mud ....