Officer Killed
Officer Killed When Trailer Tires, Wheels Hit Him
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. -- A Shelbyville police officer was killed late Wednesday night when two rear dual tires and wheels from a tractor-trailer fell off the truck and struck him as he stood alongside the State Road 44 ramp to Interstate 74 eastbound, police said.
The officer, whose name was not immediately released, had been sent to back up a Shelby County sheriff's deputy who had made a traffic stop on a vehicle that was believed to have been stolen that had two juveniles inside.
Police said that the tractor-trailer was going past the scene at about 11:40 p.m. when the rear passenger-side tires and wheels came off the trailer. The tractor-trailer driver was apparently unaware of what happened and continued on the interstate for a few miles before he was stopped.
Police called what happened a tragic accident and said it was not likely that the tractor-trailer driver would face charges.
Members of the Shelbyville Police Department gathered in the square downtown early Thursday morning to present a flag to the fallen officer's family.
The officer had been with the department for 25 years and had many ties to the community, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.
"It's going to be very sad because this is a close-knit community and it's a small town. Just about everybody knows everybody," said resident Cathy Ping.
The officer's body was taken to the Hamilton County, Ohio coroner's office and was expected to return later Thursday.
Officials said they will not release the officer's name until later in the day.
Eastbound I-74 was shut down for four hours after the crash and traffic was diverted through Shelbyville.
Police said the juveniles inside the suspected stolen car were not injured and were taken to the Johnson County Juvenile facility.
- What? No murder charges against the juveniles?
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. -- A Shelbyville police officer was killed late Wednesday night when two rear dual tires and wheels from a tractor-trailer fell off the truck and struck him as he stood alongside the State Road 44 ramp to Interstate 74 eastbound, police said.
The officer, whose name was not immediately released, had been sent to back up a Shelby County sheriff's deputy who had made a traffic stop on a vehicle that was believed to have been stolen that had two juveniles inside.
Police said that the tractor-trailer was going past the scene at about 11:40 p.m. when the rear passenger-side tires and wheels came off the trailer. The tractor-trailer driver was apparently unaware of what happened and continued on the interstate for a few miles before he was stopped.
Police called what happened a tragic accident and said it was not likely that the tractor-trailer driver would face charges.
Members of the Shelbyville Police Department gathered in the square downtown early Thursday morning to present a flag to the fallen officer's family.
The officer had been with the department for 25 years and had many ties to the community, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.
"It's going to be very sad because this is a close-knit community and it's a small town. Just about everybody knows everybody," said resident Cathy Ping.
The officer's body was taken to the Hamilton County, Ohio coroner's office and was expected to return later Thursday.
Officials said they will not release the officer's name until later in the day.
Eastbound I-74 was shut down for four hours after the crash and traffic was diverted through Shelbyville.
Police said the juveniles inside the suspected stolen car were not injured and were taken to the Johnson County Juvenile facility.
- What? No murder charges against the juveniles?
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Thats freak. 0 -
That's too bad[:(][:(].
What an odd thing to happen right there. What are the odds of that happening?0 -
As I've maintained: "When your number's up, your number's up."
His number was up.
It is sad. I'll say a prayer.
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
SHELBYVILLE, Ind.
- What? No murder charges against the juveniles?
That's Shelbyville, Indiana - we're a pretty conservative sort of place, for the most part.0 -
I guess god really wanted to get him and didn't have a meteor handy?
I bet his wife will own a trucking company pretty soon.0 -
The hearts and prayers of the Muntz family, have been sent.May he rest in heavenly peace...
Jeff0 -
http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=19028
Police Officer Gary Henderson
Shelbyville Police Department
Indiana
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Biographical Info
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 29 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Accidental
Date of Incident: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Henderson was struck and killed by two tires from an 18-wheel truck.
Officer Henderson responded to a call for back-up from a Shelby County Deputy Sheriff that had pulled over a stolen vehicle. After arriving at the scene on I-74. Officer Henderson was standing outside of his patrol car when the real dual wheel assembly from a passing semi trailer broke free. The tires struck Officer Henderson, killing him.
The semi tractor driver was stopped a short distance from the scene by other officer. He was unaware of what had happened.
Officer Henderson had served with the Shelbyville Police Department for 29 years and is survived by his wife and son.
Agency Contact Information
Shelbyville Police Department
105 W Taylor Street
Shelbyville, IN 461760 -
bad things can happen to good people......condolences to family RIP 0 -
That stinks.
Quite a few people have been killed by things falling of truck trailers.0 -
Looks like it didn't go further than suspected stolen vehicle. If it was stolen then maybe the prosecutor could go ahead with one a them during-the-commission-of thingies.
Stuff falls off of trucks & other vehicles all the time, and it doesn't have to be very big to do damage at 65mph. A Big Gulp(tm) at freeway speeds can knock you on yer backside. I'm thinking the officer was looking at the situation he was backing up and not keeping an eye on traffic. It was his time to go, for sure.0 -
Bad deal. If the officer was killed chasing the kids then charges would probaly follow. RIP Officer. 0 -
This is one of the reason retreads should be outlawed! 0 -
Can't believe God did that........to the poor guy 0 -
quote:Originally posted by shoff14
This is one of the reason retreads should be outlawed!
It was WHEELS not seperated tire treads.
But, I agree; retreads are darn dangerous and all usage on American roads should be stopped tomorrow!0 -
I saw a picture of the truck last night on the news, the lugnuts came loose and both wheels left the axle and struck the officier. His son was a part time policeman too. What are the odds of this accident happening? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
As I've maintained: "When your number's up, your number's up."
His number was up.
It is sad. I'll say a prayer.
Doug
Yep, agreed. You can't hide from God when He says it is time for you to come home.0 -
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
I guess god really wanted to get him and didn't have a meteor handy?
I bet his wife will own a trucking company pretty soon.
God0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
quote:Originally posted by shoff14
This is one of the reason retreads should be outlawed!
It was WHEELS not seperated tire treads.
But, I agree; retreads are darn dangerous and all usage on American roads should be stopped tomorrow!
holy hell thats crazy. Should have read it more carefully.0 -
If the lugnuts came off of two wheels at the same time, I bet those wheels just had been put on at a truck stop about ten miles back down the road. Be interesting to see where this investigation goes. 0 -
On semis the nuts only hold on the outer tire. in order for both tires to come off either the inner whatchamacallits (all ten of em) have to be unscrewed at the same time (which in my opinion is not even possible w/an impact wrench) or all ten studs would have to break at the same time.
Most likely scenario is the bearing retainer nuts became unlocked & the dual set just rolled out the side.
Years ago my mother was driving her M-G GT sports car & a similar thing happened. The dual set passed her car @ 60 mph plus.
She said later she was looking out her window at the top of the tire rim when it went by (taller than her car).
[V]barto[V]0
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