pocketrocket
12-24-2006, 08:22 PM
:angelhap: Savannah, GA SCMPD Off duty officer down
Please keep his family in your prayers.
Off-duty Officer Killed in Accident
A deadly accident today claimed the life of a Savannah-Chatham Police officer. SCMPD officials say the accident involved one off-duty patrolman John Wayne Allen. He had been headed south on Abercorn Street, riding a motorcycle after 12:30 p.m. when the accident occurred. Police say he reportedly hit an SUV just south of Mercy Boulevard near St. Joseph’sHospital, heading in the same direction. The officer was thrown from the motorcycle. Paramedics rushed him to Memorial Health University Medical Center, where he died shortly after arriving. No one else was hurt in the crash.
The accident had traffic tied-up along Abercorn. The south bound side is affected between Largo and Dutchtown Road. A section had to be closed for a while, as police conducted their investigation.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Chief Michael Berkow commented earlier Wednesday afternoon during a news conference at Memorial Health University Medical Center: "At this point, I can only add what his father said to me less than an hour ago. John loved being a police officer. The Metropolitan Police Department is doing everything it can to support the family and our own officers- many who are also struggling with this sudden loss."
The officer leaves behind a ten-month old daughter. One of Patrolman Allen’s friends and co-workers told WSAV.com Allen worked a tough beat, but he always talked about his love for the job. Hear more reaction from Allen’s friend Phillip Riley tonight on NEWS 3 at 11.