West Virginia Cop Killed During Pursuit ID'd

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia – The city of Bluefield has identified the police officer killed in the line of duty early Tuesday morning as Lieutenant Aaron L. Crook.

Crook is a nine year member of the Bluefield Police Department, and former United States Marine, Bluefield City Manager Dane Rideout confirmed Wednesday morning.

“On behalf of all the citizens of Bluefield, we offer our deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Lieutenant Aaron Crook, who was killed in the line of duty yesterday," Bluefield Mayor Tom Cole added in a statement Wednesday morning.

"This tragedy is another grim reminder that our police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our community, and we are grateful for their courage and sacrifice," said Bluefield Police Chief Dennis Dillow.

Lieutenant Crook is survived by his wife and two children. Memorial services have not yet been arranged.

Original Story:

A possible DUI led early Tuesday morning to a pursuit which ended in a fatal crash involving an officer of the Bluefield City Police Department.

The accident involved multiple Bluefield Police Department units and a West Virginia State Police cruiser, said First Sgt. R.A. Maddy, district commander of the West Virginia State Police Princeton and Welch detachments.

During a press conference held later that morning at the Bluefield Municipal Building, City Manager Dane Rideout spoke about the tragedy. The names of the officer who was killed and three who were injured, but later treated and released, were not revealed pending notification of their families. Mayor Tom Cole and members of the Bluefield Board of Directors also attended the conference.

"We are devastated to learn of the death of one of our police officers," Rideout said. "His tragic passing in the line of duty highlights the grave dangers our men and women in blue face each day they put on their uniforms and keep us safe. On behalf of the city of Bluefield we send our prayers and sympathies to his family as we continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the other officers involved. Our hearts go out to the entire Bluefield Police Department as they mourn the loss of a beloved husband, father, son and fellow officer."

Chief Dennis Dillow said the West Virginia State Police was conducting the investigation. Business will continue at the police department, but he asked the public to remember the loss.

The accident shut down traffic in both directions on Princeton Avenue in Bluefield for a time shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning. The roadway reopened soon after the press conference.

Dillow said at the press conference that he would not be taking any questions. He gave a brief statement to the media.

"Last night shortly after midnight four Bluefield police officers and one state police officer was involved in a vehicle pursuit. That pursuit took place on Bluefield and Princeton Avenue," Dillow said. "It ended up at the intersection of Princeton Avenue and Lee Street. Unfortunately, that scene ended up in an accident at which time we lost a member of our Bluefield Police Department."

"I would like to remind everyone that these men that were out there last night doing what they do every night, they have families, they have friends so please keep that in mind as you meet their families and find out who they are," Dillow stated. "At this time, due to respect for their families, because some have not been completely notified, I will not be releasing any names."

Dillow stated later that the pursuit started as a possible DUI, and that one arrest had been made. That person's name and additional details were not being released at that time.

The incident left the front of the cruiser mangled and the driver's side of the vehicle resting against a bent guardrail beside the thoroughfare. Debris stretched across both lanes of the roadway.

According to a report on a police scanner frequency at approximately 12:22 a.m., an officer was reported "down" on Princeton Avenue near Giles Street. A voice believed to be that of the officer reported, "I'm injured."

The identity of the injured person was not available from authorities in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A person with his head bandaged was seen standing near the cruiser briefly, accompanied by a law enforcement officer.

Teddy Gilpin, owner of Buddy's Body Shop along Princeton Avenue, heard the crash. He lives in a home located across Lee Street from his business.

"It just woke me up," he recalled later. "I heard the racket, got up, and it had done happened."

Sitting in his business's garage that afternoon, Gilpin pointed at the front door. "I know they hit this building. The state police car was up against that door. I couldn't get in until about an hour ago. There's marks on that door and a split. The state police said it just 'damaged your bench a bit.'"

The scene early Tuesday morning included officers from the city police department and the Mercer County Sheriff's Department, as well as a unit from the Bluefield Fire Department and at least two ambulances. Two males were seen seated on a sidewalk down the hill from the cruiser with their hands immobilized, surrounded by law enforcement personnel. Their identities were not immediately released.

On Tuesday evening, a prayer vigil was held at the police station, led by Rev. Garry Moore.

About 75 police officers, including some from Bluefield, Va., firemen, 911 dispatch personnel, city officials and residents gathered, held hands and prayed.

"It's very, very seldom," this happens, Moore said, referring to a gathering in honor of a fallen officer in the line of duty.

"All of us are affected by this," he said, especially the officer's family -- a wife and young child.

The tragedy is a reminder that every time a police officer goes on duty, they place their lives on the line, he said.

Moore said that such a tragedy does serve to bring people of races and all religions together.

Those gathered recited Psalms 23 together, which Moore said is for the fallen officer's family.

Moore said this is only the fourth time a Bluefield police officer has died in the line of duty.

Ellen Light, city board member, was present.

"This shows the unity in our community," she said. "You see people from all walks of life here."

Copyright 2017 Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.

Tribune News Service