A Jefferson Parish deputy killed in a funeral escort crash has been identified as 41-year-old Christopher Paul Ohlmeyer, a motorcycle deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office who was struck while working a funeral procession detail in New Orleans. The fatal collision happened around 11:40 a.m. Friday in the 9200 block of Airline Highway, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
Police officials say the deputy was in the roadway during the escort when a sedan struck his motorcycle from behind. The driver of the car was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The New Orleans Police Department said investigators determined the deputy was stopping traffic and coming to a stop in the roadway when the vehicle hit him from behind. The department said the deputy was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
Reports indicate that the escort was a voluntary, off-duty assignment officers can sign up for, a common practice in many communities where law enforcement helps keep funeral processions together and moving safely through traffic.
Officials identified the fallen deputy as Christopher Paul Ohlmeyer of River Ridge. A captain with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office told reporters Ohlmeyer had spent 16 years in law enforcement, including 14 years with JPSO. He was married and had two children, according to officials.
Field Lessons are offered strictly as general, industry-standard reminders drawn from common safety practices and typical policy considerations. They are not based on any inside knowledge of this specific incident, do not presume what actions were taken, and should not be interpreted as commentary on the decisions made at the scene.
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I have nothing to add to this tragedy, other than the profession needs to end this practice. I understand the arguments for this, as I once commanded a motor unit, but it’s ridiculous if we truly care about our officers’ safety. Can we lead a procession with a car? Can we write ticklets with a car? Of course, we can. It’s not as effective, but it’s much safer. And while we are at it, that goes for the President as well. We’ve lost officers to these high-speed, high-risk actions.
- Leaders, it’s time to lead. I don’t care if it looks cool, or it’s tradition, or the girls like it. Give your cops the protection of 4 doors and a seatbelt. This is the easiest decision you will make today.
Dr. Travis Yates has pioneered a behavioral risk framework to help officers and leaders identify, assess, and articulate risk in rapidly evolving, uncertain situations. Find out more about the FOCUS Behavioral Risk Framework.
