Sioux City Journal

He thanks police for service

Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

SIOUX CITY -- This is in response to a Letter to the Editor in the Oct. 9 Journal headlined "Are police pursuits worth it?" It's amazing to me that people claim to have the extrasensory perception to see that it was the police's fault concerning the tragic death of a Siouxland woman during her high-speed getaway attempt.

This "mother" had no one's interest but her own while trying to escape. I find it amazing that even though the toxicology report has come back positive for alcohol and cocaine, someone has to villainize the Sioux City Police Department. We all now know the "chase" lasted under 20 seconds.

To the police I know and respect, thank you for doing your jobs in an uncertain world. Thank you for keeping my safety tantamount while sacrificing your own. Thank you for doing a job that everyone else thinks they can do better. When I see you on the streets, I will wave and nod. Just know that at least one Siouxlander thanks you for your service. -- Charles Collison

Story Comments

Diogenes wrote on Oct 23, 2008 10:09 PM:

" Old School, you can disagree all you want about the cop's recklessness.

He was reckless when he violated SCPD pursuit policy. This reckless Unnamed Cop decided to pursue a minor traffic offender, which is a violation of pursuit policy. This reckless Unnamed Cop should have ticketed and charged the suspect later; he failed to do so, which is a violation of pursuit policy. When this cop violated policy, he, in fact, endangered others, and his violation of policy contributed to Cassie's death.

Not only we do not know the name of this reckless cop, we don't know how fast he was driving when he illegally pursuing the suspect. "

Old School wrote on Oct 23, 2008 8:48 PM:

" I disagree with the statement that the police officer war reckless. He was not...in any way shape or form.

He was doing his job. By all accounts he did decide to end the chase after 20 seconds.

What was recless was the criminal like behavior of this lady that was placing countless lives in danger. When she decided to use cocaine that night and drink heavily she became a deadly weapon behind that car.

Argue that.

This lady was a menace. The only crime would have been if the police chose not to do anything. She was going to kill someone that night.

Diogenes, get off of your horse. The ONLY person responsible for this death is the lady that chose to drive while using drugs. If she had chosen not to do that, she would still be alive. And yes, I have read your other posts. "

Diogenes wrote on Oct 23, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Dear sp, what I have said several times, and what you have failed to understand, is: this reckless Unnamed Cop contributed to Cassie's death.

Speeding is a minor traffic violation. Even 23 mph over the posted limit is a minor violation. See 805.8A, part 5. The fine is $90, plus $5 each mile per hour of speed in excess of the twenty miles per hour over the limit.

When this reckless Unnamed Cop violated SCPD pursuit policy, he contributed to Cassie's death. "

sp wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:28 PM:

" Diogenes, the more you talk, the more stupid you sound. I think everyone knows by now that you think the police caused Cassie's death. If speeding 23 mph over the limit is such a minor offense, the possibility that a department policy was violated has to be a hardly mentionable offense. "

Diogenes wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:25 PM:

" Dear BigO, you and Old School could not be more wrong.

You do realize that this cop violated SCPD policy, don't you? You do realize that in violating that policy this reckless Unnamed Cop contributed to Cassie's death, don't you? Did you even read the policy that I quoted from Lt. Reilly of the SCPD? I've posted it a few times. Scroll down.

If it were a private citizen chasing Cassie that citizen would be in jail now. No one, not even cops are above the law. "