Here is the "boo hoo" story from the first page of the .PDF file cited:
Quote:
Sergeant Earl White and
Police Officer Lindora Smith began their tour of duty on August 26, 1997, much the
same way every police officer throughout the United States does. They entered their
vehicle, taking with them Cadet/Explorer Aaron Phillips, as an observer. They left the
Second Precinct parking lot and began their tour of duty. As was always the case with
Sergeant White, he never left a stone unturned when he was on patrol. As fate would
have it he spotted a vehicle that he suspected had narcotics in it and he wanted to pull it
over for an investigation. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and a high-speed
pursuit began. What was to happen next would be horrifying. Another scout car driving
perpendicular to Sergeant White hears the pursuit being broadcast and decided to become
involved. At a high rate of speed, the officer driving this scout car approached an
intersection and did not stop. He began to enter the intersection. As he did Sergeant
White, along with Officer Smith and Cadet Phillips entered the intersection only to be
broadsided and pushed into a utility pole. This high speed collision caused the vehicle
occupied by Sergeant White, Officer Smith and Cadet Phillips, to be crushed, leaving
only about a one foot or less space between the driver's and passenger's doors. Sergeant
White and Officer Smith were killed instantly. Cadet Phillips had massive head trauma
and passed away several days later. The police officer driving the other scout car was
seriously injured and recovered fully from his injuries. The effects on the families and
the Western Precinct Support Unit were devastating. Two hard working and dedicated
police officers, along with a young man who was aspiring to be a police officer are dead.
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So, with no probable cause, no warrant, no evidence of a crime, but "spotted a vehicle that he suspected had narcotics in it" and proceeded to crush three people.
Why?
Because he had a pretty young female (junior ranking police officer) in the car with him as well as a Cadet. "Hey watch this ..."
That kind of stupidity is what makes police pursuits look bad. Not the sincere: In pursuit of an armed robber...
And, by the way, according to the Memorial Page, the year was 1995, not 1997:
http://www.odmp.org/officer/879-serg...-lavelle-white
http://www.odmp.org/officer/878-poli...ra-renee-smith