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MOTORCYCLE POLICE NEWS.
Here is the article archive of headlines that have appeared in newspapers around the United States which relate to police motorcycle officers. 01/05/06 Police hunt man in crash with motorcycle cop - College Park, GA College Park police continue to look for a Clayton County man sought in connection with a crash that sent a motorcycle officer to the hospital with broken hands. College Park police Capt. David Block said Thursday that felony warrants are being sought against Dexter Phelps, 35, of Clayton County. Police said Phelps hit five-year police veteran Officer Steve Brown as Phelps was fleeing to avoid a roadblock Wednesday about 1 p.m. After hitting the officer, Block said, Phelps fled the scene. "He will possibly be charged with aggravated battery or aggravated assault depending on how serious the officer's injuries are," Block said. "One hand is in a cast and he undergoes evaluation for damage to the other hand, which has broken bones."... Read the full story. 01/07/06 Snellville cops riding high on Hogs - Snellville, GA They are battered, bruised and a little humbled, but two Snell-ville police officers chosen to pioneer the department’s new motorcycle unit are ready for the road. Officers James McDonald and Greg Perry will now patrol the streets on new Harley-Davidsons after finishing a specialized training class on Nov. 28. Both men said the 40-hour motorcycle class was the most challenging law enforcement course they ever completed. “We dropped our bikes probably about 100 times a piece, which is standard,” said McDonald, who added jokingly that the worst injury was his broken pride. A daunting basic motor officer course was created for Perry and McDonald in the parking lot of Gwinnett County Fairgrounds by the Lawrenceville Police Department’s six-man motorcycle unit. Lawrenceville police have operated a motorcycle unit for the past 18 years and reaped the benefits, said Maj. Paul King. “When we have traffic tie-ups they are able to maneuver through vehicles or around vehicles where you couldn’t do it in a normal patrol car,” King said. “They can also be ridden in areas where we might have large events in parking lots or park areas where it would be difficult to drive a car.” The obstacle course included about 400 plastic cones, strategically placed so officers could practice 90-degree turns, weaving and navigating. “We had bruises and scratches everywhere, but it was worth it to get out here,” Perry said while standing proudly beside his motorcycle outside of Snellville police headquarters. Perry said he volunteered to be a motorcycle cop because he was on a similar unit years ago at the Stone Mountain Park Police Department. McDonald said he used to own a Harley Fat Boy and wanted to experience the enjoyment of riding again.... Read the full story. 01/07/06 Officer killed in N.J. plunge remembered - Jersey City, NJ ...Officers Robert Nguyen, 30, and Shawn Carson died after their truck fell 45 feet from the fog-shrouded drawbridge into the Hackensack River on the night of Dec. 25. Divers found Carson's body about 90 minutes after the accident. They found Nguyen five days later. On Saturday, hundreds of police officers lined city streets for Nguyen's funeral procession, and the noise of 300 motorcycle engines cut through the chilly morning air. "Robert wanted to help people. He wanted to be that person who came when you really needed him," police Chief Robert Troy told the crowd, including acting Gov. Richard J. Codey and Gov.-elect Jon Corzine.... Read the full story. 01/10/06 Officer hurt in Mountain View motorcycle crash - Palo Alto, CA A Palo Alto police officer was injured this morning when his motorcycle crashed on the ramp connecting northbound Highway 85 to northbound Highway 101 in Mountain View, the California Highway Patrol reported. CHP Officer Brian Land said he had no information on what might have caused the accident, which was reported at 6:15 a.m. No other vehicles appeared to be involved, Land said.... Read the full story. 01/11/06 Tohono O'odham police officers involved in crash - Sells, AZ At least two Tohono O'odham police officers were involved in a serious crash near Sells, officials said. The crash involves a police motorcycle, a police car and a third vehicle on Federal Route 19, said Officer Jim Oien, an Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman.... Read the full story. 01/12/06 Rancho Cordova Officer Goes Home After Paralyzing Injury - Rancho Cordova, CA With emotion plainly etched on his face and in his words, a Rancho Cordova motorcycle officer who sustained critical injuries in a collision last October returned home today, fittingly escorted by a motorcycle motorcade. Officer Bill Woodel, 46, was thrown from his motorcycle on Coloma Road when the driver of a Volkswagen Jetta pulled out in front of him. The impact shattered Woodel's spine at the level of his chest. The injury resulted in paralysis and has confined Woodel to a wheelchair. Today, the 23-year-veteran officer, with his wife, sons and fellow motorcycle officers flanking him, left the U.C. Davis Medical Center. Woodel said he was very happy to be going home. "It's been a long, hard road to recovery, trying to get through this ordeal, but with patience and the guidance from the physical and occupational therapy people I'm ready to leave the hospital and continue getting through life in my wheelchair," he said. Woodel admitted he was struggling to come to terms with his disability. "I still have a very difficult time dealing with the fact I'm a paraplegic," he said. "It's so very hard. I wouldn't wish this on anybody." Then in a stronger voice, he added, "But it's a challenge I have to take and I'll do my very best. I owe it to my family. I owe it to these men. We give our very best to the community."... Read the full story. 01/12/06 There are Rules of the Road for a Reason - San Leandro, CA ...If you have America Online then you might have read the article titled, “How to Beat a Ticket.” As a 21-year veteran of police work and 7 years as a Motor/Traffic Officer, I tend to laugh at these type of articles. The author usually tells the story of how fast they were going (in this case, 80 m.p.h. in a 55 m.p.h. zone), the excuses they gave to no avail and how rude the officer was. This story was no different. This particular author also bemoaned the amount of money it would cost, i.e. court, insurance, etc., which is associated with a speeding ticket. The thing that made me laugh and shake my head was the reasons given for speeding: “I was going with the flow of traffic.” The response by a friend of the author was even funnier: “I didn’t know the speed limit sign read, ‘flow of traffic.’” Which brings me to point No. 1. There is a widespread belief that if you are traveling with the proverbial “flow of traffic” then you won’t get a ticket, even if you are speeding 15, 20 or more miles an hour faster than the maximum speed limit. In our state, when you see a sign that reads, “Maximum speed 65,” then anything faster is speeding. Period.... Read the full story. 01/12/06 Avid runner hailed for going the extra mile - Redlands, CA The story of Rodney Walters is a familiar one with a twist: Local boy makes good. Again. Walters, the son of a retired Redlands police lieutenant, joined the department 12 years ago. Wednesday night he was named the 2005 Police Officer of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce installation dinner. The last year has kept Walters on his toes. In July, he and two other officers participated in the Western States Police and Fire games. Walters competed in the 5-kilometer cross country race, the cross country mountain bike race and an Olympic-trail triathlon in the 2005 games. Before leaving for the games Walters, an avid runner, talked about why physical activity was important to him as an officer. Training helps him stay in shape despite working as a motorcycle officer, he said, and helps him work off job-related stress. While a comfortable retirement is considered one of the perks of being an officer, Walters said statistics indicate that most cops die within five years of retiring. The stress of the job is what gets to them, he said. Statistics also indicate that motorcycle duty is one of the most dangerous officer assignments. One October morning, Walters, responding to a collision at San Bernardino Avenue and Webster Street, was rear-ended by a pick-up truck and thrown from his bike. A trip to the hospital revealed that he had not been seriously injured, but it was not immediately clear whether Walters would return to the motor unit. He was back on his bike within a week.... Read the full story. 01/13/06 Bay Area mourns 'tragic waste' of life - Palo Alto, CA ...They gathered to pay tribute to a fallen comrade, East Palo Alto police Officer Richard Allen May Jr., shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday. This was not only the day for police officers, government officials, his family and the public to mourn May's loss, but to bring hope for peace to a crime-plagued city — and for a death not to have been in vain. Inside Spangler, about 60 people from May's family sat in front of his flag-draped casket. Holder read the 23rd Psalm as a clock quietly chimed nine. As the casket was placed in the hearse in the mortuary's back parking lot, an East Palo Alto police officer's lip quivered as she began to cry. And then, there was the rumble. More than 100 police officers revved up their bikes, lights glistening in the morning sun, to lead off a motorcade to escort May's body to HP Pavilion in San Jose. Behind the hearse were five limousines with family members, more family cars and the East Palo Alto Police Department. The California Highway Patrol stopped traffic in all directions as the procession wound through Menlo Park, crossing Highway 101 at Marsh Road. They turned onto the Bayfront Expressway, lined with police cars ready to join the procession's tail end. In all, the motorcade would stretch four miles.... Read the full story. 01/13/06 Police get tough with street racers - Glendale, AZ ...An area bound by 91st Avenue to Cave Creek Road and Beardsley to Greenway roads was saturated by officers, with some of the hot spots including Bell Road, Union Hills Drive, and 51st, 59th, 67th and 83rd avenues. Officers who caught street racers arrested them, impounded their vehicles and transported the suspects to the mobile command center, where they were booked and then taken to jail. Any juveniles caught racing were arrested, but released into the custody of their parents. While assisting a motorcycle officer in the arrest of a 17-year-old girl clocked doing 70 mph in a 40 mph zone on Bell Road, Officer David Vidaure spotted a dark-colored Acura Integra and a yellow Mustang racing east on Bell and took off in pursuit.... Read the full story. 01/13/06 Motorcycle officer injured - Providence, RI A police officer was injured yesterday when his Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with a car on the East Side. According to the police, Patrolman David M. Girard, 35, and two other officers were trying to stop a speeder who was driving south on Blackstone Boulevard at about 10 a.m. Girard saw the vehicle two cars ahead of him at a red light on Butler Avenue, waiting to turn onto South Angell Street. Girard attempted to pass the car in front of him -- driven by Michael J. Schmitt, 25, of 294 England St., Cumberland -- when it turned left. On impact, Girard flew across the car's trunk. Schmitt told the police that he signaled left and never saw or heard the motorcycle. He was not cited.... Read the full story. 01/13/06 Motorman Retires After 25 Years - Jacksonville, FL The longest running motorcycle cop in the state is calling it quits after 25 years on the road. Traffic Enforcement Officer J.D. Clark started hitting the streets on two wheels back in 1982. Clark who prefers being on a Harley Road King says, "Freedom, that's what it is. You are not tied to a car. A car has no room at all where a motor has all the room in the world." Clark is giving up police work in Jacksonville after 31 years. He was the senior rider on the Department's 15 member motorcycle enforcement team.... Read the full story. 01/14/06 Temecula teachers stage sick-out - Temecula, CA ..."It's chaos. Pure chaos," said sophomore Austin Kruger as he and several backpack-laden friends walked south on Margarita Road across from The Promenade mall. "There were people walking around not knowing what to do." He and his friends said the schoolyard was festive. Students were talking, making calls on their cell phones, climbing fences and tossing water balloons at each other. Three marked police cars and an unmarked patrol car buzzed in and around the parking lots and a motorcycle officer cruised the streets outside campus.... Read the full story. 01/14/06 Police say as city grows, so will number of accidents - McKinney, TX ...Thornhill said these statistics aren't just compiled to measure the successes and failures of their traffic patrols. They are used to determine what parts of the city need more patrols or certain types of enforcement to cut down on accidents. “This information goes out to all the officers and they look internally in their particular district they work and also the motorcycle officers look at it and based upon the accidents that occurred in their respective areas of responsibility, they look at as much enforcement as they can,” Thornhill said. “The contributing factors let officers know what type of offense to be watching for."... Read the full story. 01/16/06 Police will cruise in black and white - La Vista , NE The La Vista Police Department will soon tap into that common reflex that jerks drivers straight from their brain to the right foot to the brake upon seeing a black and white police car. The department has already purchased a new Harley Davidson police motorcycle to help with traffic enforcement and the La Vista City Council recently gave approval to purchase two 2006 black and white Dodge Charger police package cruisers. The decision to phase in black and white to replace the current fleet of white cruisers came from considerable research completed by Police Chief Bob Lausten and his staff.... Read the full story. 01/17/06 Police discover cycle work is no easy ride - La Marque, TX ...Texas City police officer Jimmy Fullen said that while motorcycles offer more on-the-road agility for officers, the lack of protection meant motorcycle officers had to remain acutely aware of their surroundings. “You’ve constantly got to be watching for cars, slick spots on the road that can be real dangers and anything else that could become a hazard,” said Fullen, who has years of experience with motorcycle patrol and who helped organize the training. “These officers have to be watching nine different things at one time.” The cones were arrayed to represent intersections, disabled vehicles in roadways and other road hazards that motorcycle officers face regularly. Two officers from Baton Rouge served as trainers, and both said the course was demanding. Several officers were dropped from the program before its conclusion.... Read the full story. 01/17/06 Raleigh Motorcycle Officer Hit By Vehicle - Raleigh, NC A Raleigh police officer had quite a scare when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle. Authorities say the officer attempted to stop a white Lexus in the area of Millbrook Road and Atlantic Avenue around noon Tuesday for careless and reckless driving. Police say the white Lexus attempted to back up and ended up hitting the officer on the motorcycle. The driver in the white Lexus then sped away.... Read the full story. 01/17/06 Officer hospitalized after collision - Austin, TX Austin police are investigating a crash involving one of their own officers. APD received the call at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1800 block of Ferguson Lane in Northeast Austin. Police say an officer on motorcycle patrol passed one vehicle in order to stop another one ahead of it. The officer had to pass in the oncoming lane, and nearly hit a Dodge pickup truck head-on. To avoid a direct hit, police say both the officer and the driver of the pickup took evasive actions. They both left the road and collided.... Read the full story. 01/17/06 Motorcycle Officer Injured In Wreck - Austin, TX An Austin police officer is in Brackenridge Hospital with serious injuries after his motorcycle collided with a pick up in northeast Travis County. Some say the road is to blame. The 1800 block of Ferguson Lane, just east of Cameron Road, is like many roads in the area. The volume of traffic has nearly outgrown what the street can handle. According to the people who live in the area, this is where accidents come to happen. The latest crash on this road involved an Austin motorcycle officer stopping speeders. "Had passed one vehicle in an attempt to make a stop on another vehicle," Laura Albrecht with the Austin Police Department said. The officer had to make an evasive move to avoid an oncoming truck. "They did go off the roadway, but the vehicles did collide," witness Wardell Stewart said. Two delivery drivers arrived just after the wreck. "We came around the corner, and then we seen the officer lying on the ground with his leg, his bone popped out of his right thigh," Stewart said. "We stopped and gave him -- I called 911 and held his hand and gave him some aid."... Read the full story. 01/18/06 Car Hits Daytona Beach Officer On Motorcycle - Daytona Beach, FL A police officer remained hospitalized Wednesday after being hit by a car, according to a Local 6 News report. Investigators said the Daytona Beach officer was on a motorcycle when he was hit on Interstate 95 in Ormond Beach, Fla., at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. The officer's name was not released.... Read the full story. 01/18/06 Motor squad honored - Phenix City, GA The Phenix City Council honored the city's three motorcycle squad police officers Tuesday for their professionalism and contributions to public safety. Lt. David Darrah, Sgt. Gary Leeds and Cpl. Jeffrey Freeman, the officers who make up the Phenix City Police Department's motorcycle squad, were given plaques acknowledging their service during Tuesday's meeting in the council chambers at the Public Safety Building. City Manager Bubba Roberts said the work of the motorcycle police officers had been applauded by the citizens they served. "I've heard nothing but good comments about these officers," said Councilman John Storey. Councilman Arthur Sumbry, who owns a funeral home, commended the officers on their work escorting funeral processions. "They do a very professional job and it's very much appreciated by the citizens," Sumbry said.... Read the full story. 01/19/06 Hwy. 21 speeders cruising for wallet bruising - San Marcos, TX The discovery earlier this month that four out of five vehicles heading towards San Marcos on Highway 21 were exceeding the speed limit has put police on notice. Late this week or early next, two San Marcos police officers on motorcycles will be ready to intercept them and write tickets. “That was kind of surprising to us,” said Police Chief Howard Williams. “We need to make a statement out there on Hwy. 21.” Concerns about safety on the roadway, which is increasingly being used as an alternative to Interstate 35, prompted the move, police and school district officials say.... Read the full story. 01/20/06 Motorcycle cop OK after crash - Ormand Beach, FL An off-duty Daytona Beach police officer who hit the back of another vehicle only had bumps and bruises from the accident, officials said Thursday. Darren Santiago, an officer in the motorcycle division, was on Interstate 95 near mile marker 273 on Tuesday night when he "bumped the back" of the vehicle in front of him and slid his bike to the ground, spokesman Sgt. Al Tolley said. He was in uniform and riding a city bike... Read the full story. 01/20/06 Little Girl Becomes Top Cop For A Day - North Little Rock, AR Arriving in a stretch limo at the North Little Rock Police Department, Sierra Daniels doesn't know it yet, but she's in for the ride of her life. On this day, the 6-year-old, who suffers from an inoperable brain tumor, has reason to smile. North Little Rock police officer Tommy Norman says, “You did want to be a police officer when you grow up, today's your day." It was a day made possible with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the North Little Rock police. Her mom, Tracy Daniels, and Sierra’s two younger siblings, look on. She says, “We was talking about what we wanted to be and she started naming what sister was going to be, what brother was going to be; she was like, I want to be a police officer and arrest people." However, before she can hit the streets, Sierra must test the equipment. Not tall enough to get on the police motorcycle bike or reach the pedal, a police officer helps Sierra on. Once on the bike, she takes a liking to the flashing lights and the bells and whistles it makes. Her mom says, “She’s a very sensitive person, she loves to have fun and she loves to make friends." Part of her day includes a ride in a police car with Norman. While patrolling her beat, this pint-sized police officer gets ready in case she crosses paths with a lawbreaker.... Read the full story. 01/20/06 Harley-Davidson to Open First Dealership in China - Milwaukee, WI Harley-Davidson Inc., the biggest U.S. motorcycle maker, plans to open its first dealership in China as early as this year, as international growth leads the company's sales gains. The company will provide details on the new dealer sometime this year, Chief Executive Officer Jim Ziemer told analysts today on a conference call about fourth-quarter earnings. ``They're going to take everything very slow in China,'' said Rick Drake, who manages a $1.3 billion equity fund for ABN Amro in Chicago that includes more than 700,000 Harley-Davidson shares. ``It's probably going to be a decade before China is meaningful to them.'' Harley-Davidson said international sales of its namesake motorcycles rose 15 percent last year, compared with a U.S. gain of 4.2 percent. The Milwaukee-based company still gets four of every five of those sales in the U.S. and is trying to expand in other countries. Last year, it reorganized its sales operation in Germany to boost European business and opened its first dealership in Russia since 1917.... Read the full story. 01/24/06 Driver fined in crash that injured officer Man says he didn't see police motorcycle - Culpepper, VA The man involved in an Aug. 28 crash that severely injured a Culpeper town police motorcycle officer was convicted of improper driving and fined $200 yesterday. Circuit Judge John Cullen, however, found Jose Saldana, 29, innocent of a reckless-driving charge that had been brought through direct indictment by Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Close. Cullen made his ruling mere seconds after Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Dale Durrer concluded his closing arguments in the three-hour trial. "What this boils down to is that Mr. Saldana failed to see a vehicle," Cullen said. "He was apparently watching for traffic coming from his right and when he glanced back did not see the officer coming." While attempting to turn left onto the Sperryville Pike from Kelly Street through a break in a long funeral procession, Saldana pulled his 1991 Camaro into the path of Officer W.T. "Rosco" Barnes' motorcycle. The bike hit the side of Saldana's vehicle and the officer was thrown over the hood, landing on the pavement. The officer suffered several broken bones and a serious head injury. He spent more than two months in the hospital, much of that time in a coma. Barnes, who testified at yesterday's trial, is still undergoing physical therapy but continues to make a remarkable recovery.... Read the full story. 01/26/06 Gilbert police led on wild chase - Gilbert, AZ A Tucson man driving a stolen pickup truck carrying 24 undocumented immigrants led police on a wild pursuit through Gilbert Wednesday. The driver, 24-year-old Dalton J. Cecena, tried twice to run over an officer on a motorcycle and intentionally slammed on the truck's brakes during the pursuit, causing a patrol car to hit the back of the truck, police said. The truck driven by Cecena, a U.S. citizen, eventually crashed through a fence into a citrus orchard near Higley Road and Houston Avenue, said Lt. Joe Ruet, a Gilbert police spokesman.... Read the full story. 01/27/06 A fund drive to replace cops' cycles - Philadelphia, PA Attorney James Binns had this ambitious idea - replace all of the aging motorcycles in the police Highway Patrol - and the first guy he called was Kal Rudman. "He asked me if I would buy a motorcycle," said Rudman, a philanthropist who has supported many police causes in the region. "I told him no. I'll buy three." That was the start of a program to replace all 65 of the Highway Patrol's 19-year-old motorcycles, and, according to Binns, people are jumping on the bandwagon. He's been hitting up fellow lawyers and business executives, and getting an enthusiastic response. Even his son, James Jr., who owns a diner at 20th and Arch streets, is buying one. The goal is $1 million. New Harleys cost $15,560 fully equipped.... Read the full story. 01/27/06 Cincinnati Police Officer Injured In Motorcycle Accident - Cincinnati, OH A Cincinnati Police officer suffered minor injuries today when the motorcycle he was on was hit by a car. Apparently the officer was turning left onto Court Street when a minivan also turned from the straight only lane to the officer's right.... Read the full story. 01/27/06 Driver Hits Police Officer On Motorcycle - Cincinnati, OH A Cincinnati Police officer on a motorcycle suffered minor injuries Friday morning in a crash downtown. The officer was on Elm Street in a turn lane, heading west onto Court Street when a woman driving a car hit him. The officer's name hasn't been released, he was taken to the hospital, but is expected to be okay.... Read the full story. 01/28/06 Suspect Arrested In Collision With Raleigh Officer - Raleigh, NC A suspect has been arrested in a hit-and-run collision with a Raleigh motorcycle officer. According to police, 27-year-old Stanley Raynard Townsend, of Raleigh, was arrested Friday and charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, vandalism and possession of stolen property Officer B.W. Lampe said he tried to pull over Townsend, who was allegedly driving a stolen Lexus, on Jan. 17 on East Millbrook when Townsend tried to flee the scene. Townsend allegedly backed up into Lampe's motorcycle, and Lampe jumped away without serious injury.... Read the full story. 01/30/06 Motorcycle Cop Hit By Car - DeKalb, GA A DeKalb County motorcycle cop was hit by a car this afternoon at the corner of LaVista Road and Parklake Drive. The officer has been transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Video from News Chopper 2 shows the mangled motorcyle and a damaged pick-up truck at the scene.... Read the full story. 01/31/06 Local Police Officer Injured In Motorcycle Accident - Killeen, TX A Killeen motorcycle patrol officer was injured Monday in a collision with a truck on Highway 195. Officer Dallas Jennings was taken to Darnall Army Community Hospital where he was listed in stable condition late Monday afternoon. He suffered a broken leg and wrist, police said. The dumptruck, which was towing a trailer, was traveling in the same direction as the officer at the time of the collsion, police said.... Read the full story. |
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