OSAGE BEACH, MO – Early Saturday morning, August 31, Officer Phylicia Carson of the Osage Beach Police Department was killed during a high-speed pursuit. Officer Carson was the secondary vehicle in a chase that began around 1:18 a.m. on westbound Highway 54 near Passover Road.
The chase continued along Route Y and Route A. According to Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis, a Camden County Deputy later discovered Officer Carson's patrol vehicle off the road and engulfed in flames. It was later discovered that her vehicle skidded off the road, slamming into a tree and catching on fire.
The vehicle of the suspect who allegedly fled from the police was also found crashed nearby. The suspect was later identified as 23-year-old Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer. He was taken into custody and is currently being held on a 24-hour hold, awaiting charges.
Camden County Prosecutor Richelle Grosvenor mentioned a new Missouri law, known as "Valentine's Law," which went into effect just days before the incident, on August 28. Under this law (RSMo 575.151), fleeing law enforcement during a high-speed pursuit is now a felony. If someone dies as a result, the charge can escalate to a Class A Felony, carrying a potential sentence of ten to thirty years or life in prison.
Chief Davis expressed the deep loss felt by the community, noting that this is the first time in his 30 years with the City that Osage Beach has lost an officer in the line of duty.
Officer Carson leaves behind a husband, also an Osage Beach police officer, and six children. Davis, along with Mayor Michael Harmison and Prosecutor Grosvenor, asked the community to keep Officer Carson's family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
The chase continued along Route Y and Route A. According to Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis, a Camden County Deputy later discovered Officer Carson's patrol vehicle off the road and engulfed in flames. It was later discovered that her vehicle skidded off the road, slamming into a tree and catching on fire.
The vehicle of the suspect who allegedly fled from the police was also found crashed nearby. The suspect was later identified as 23-year-old Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer. He was taken into custody and is currently being held on a 24-hour hold, awaiting charges.
Camden County Prosecutor Richelle Grosvenor mentioned a new Missouri law, known as "Valentine's Law," which went into effect just days before the incident, on August 28. Under this law (RSMo 575.151), fleeing law enforcement during a high-speed pursuit is now a felony. If someone dies as a result, the charge can escalate to a Class A Felony, carrying a potential sentence of ten to thirty years or life in prison.
Chief Davis expressed the deep loss felt by the community, noting that this is the first time in his 30 years with the City that Osage Beach has lost an officer in the line of duty.
Officer Carson leaves behind a husband, also an Osage Beach police officer, and six children. Davis, along with Mayor Michael Harmison and Prosecutor Grosvenor, asked the community to keep Officer Carson's family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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