TheeBadOne
June 16, 2003, 01:21 PM
June 16, 2003
State Trooper Killed During Pursuit
Vermont State Police Sgt. Michael Johnson was killed when he was struck on the interstate by a car he was trying to stop.
Johnson was hit yesterday just after he placed spike strips on Interstate 91 in Norwich to stop a vehicle being driven by Eric Daley, 23, who had fled a state police stop roughly five miles north on the interstate.
Daley swerved to miss the spikes and struck Johnson, said Sgt. Bruce Melendy.
"He actually swerved to miss the spike sticks and went through the median up into the crossover where Sergeant Johnson was trying to take cover," said Melendy. "That's where his cruiser was parked."
Troopers administered first aid to Johnson and he was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., where he died at 4:46 p.m.
Daley, of Lebanon, N.H., fled on foot and was still at large, police said.
"Sergeant Michael Johnson of the Vermont State Police today made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life in the line of duty," said Gov. James Douglas. Johnson had been in the state police for roughly 15 years and was stationed in Bradford.
Johnson, 39, married and with three children, was the first Vermont state trooper killed in the line of duty in 11 years.
"We will mourn with his family and pray for them as they confront this tragedy," said Douglas, who said he would order state flags lowered to half-staff for three days in memory of Johnson.
State Trooper Killed During Pursuit
Vermont State Police Sgt. Michael Johnson was killed when he was struck on the interstate by a car he was trying to stop.
Johnson was hit yesterday just after he placed spike strips on Interstate 91 in Norwich to stop a vehicle being driven by Eric Daley, 23, who had fled a state police stop roughly five miles north on the interstate.
Daley swerved to miss the spikes and struck Johnson, said Sgt. Bruce Melendy.
"He actually swerved to miss the spike sticks and went through the median up into the crossover where Sergeant Johnson was trying to take cover," said Melendy. "That's where his cruiser was parked."
Troopers administered first aid to Johnson and he was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., where he died at 4:46 p.m.
Daley, of Lebanon, N.H., fled on foot and was still at large, police said.
"Sergeant Michael Johnson of the Vermont State Police today made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life in the line of duty," said Gov. James Douglas. Johnson had been in the state police for roughly 15 years and was stationed in Bradford.
Johnson, 39, married and with three children, was the first Vermont state trooper killed in the line of duty in 11 years.
"We will mourn with his family and pray for them as they confront this tragedy," said Douglas, who said he would order state flags lowered to half-staff for three days in memory of Johnson.