An Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy was hit and killed by a car escaping from the police early Thanksgiving Day in Brandon Township, Michigan.
I sadly inform that one of our Sheriff’s Deputies was tragically killed today at 12:31am. A police pursuit from Lapeer County entered Oakland County in Brandon Twp.The suspect stuck the Deputy outside his patrol car. Name held until next of kin has been notified.Prayers requested
— Mike Bouchard (@MikeJBouchard) November 23, 2017
The police chase started in neighboring Lapeer County and as it made its way south, Oakland County deputies were called in to assist with the pursuit.
The unfortunate Oakland County deputy was outside of his patrol car about to deploy “stop sticks”—devices used to deflate the tires of an escaping vehicle to conclude a pursuit.
“When he was right at the moment of deploying the stop sticks, the suspect ran him over,” said Oakland Sheriff Mike Bouchard, according to WXYZ.
The deputy has been identified 50-year-old Eric Overall, a 22-year veteran of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He leaves behind a new wife and an adult son.
Bouchard tweeted out details of the news along with a link to a GoFundMe campaign that has been set up to support Overall’s family.
https://t.co/M3BjQUgXi5 pic.twitter.com/396UAKCxCQ
— Mike Bouchard (@MikeJBouchard) November 23, 2017
“Huge tragedy. Here we have Thanksgiving Day and a family that will never be the same,” says Bouchard.
The force of the impact appears to have been so significant that the deputy was thrown some distance away from the point of collision.
“It wasn’t immediately apparent where he went,” Bouchard said, according to ClickOnDetroit. “Tragically it took a minute or two for them to locate the deputy.”
Overall was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.
After colliding with Overall, the suspect’s vehicle rolled over and the male driver was taken into custody, according to WXYZ.
“We appreciate everybody’s thoughts and prayers to the family and friends. This is the worst kind of nightmare for any law enforcement agency,” said Bouchard.
“It’s a dangerous job. I talked to his wife, the last thing she did was kiss him goodbye, sent him off to work, and now will never have that again. And that’s what they face every day and they’re willing to do it,” said Bouchard.
The chase started in Lapeer County and then entered Oakland County into Brandon Township. (Google Maps)
