Thursday, July 2nd 2020, 12:43 pm
Several law officers were injured Thursday morning in a crash in Oklahoma City during a procession for a fallen Tulsa police officer.
Three troopers on motorcycles crashed on the westbound lanes of the Kilpatrick Turnpike, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. All are in critical condition.
OHP said the three troopers are Trooper Rocky Barnes, Trooper Steve Eason, and Trooper Ron Watson.
Here is the latest:
Law officers were escorting the body of Sgt. Craig Johnson to the state medical examiner's office. Johnson was gravely wounded when he was shot early Monday during a traffic stop. He died Tuesday at a Tulsa hospital. Officer Aurash Zarkeshan was also critically injured. He is recovering and is said to be slightly improved, authorities said.
Related Story: Tulsa Officer Remains In Hospital, Fighting For Life
Gov. Kevin Stitt released the following statement regarding the crash:
“I ask Oklahomans to join the First Lady and me in praying for the recovery of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers who were injured, for their families and for all those affected by this terrible accident. It is always difficult to receive news of first responders being injured in the line of duty, but it is especially heartbreaking to learn this incident happened during the procession for an officer who was senselessly murdered while protecting his community.”
Tulsa Police officers came together Wednesday night to share personal stories of Sgt. Johnson.
"He was a good man, he was a family man, he was an honest man. He taught me that some days you have to be stern, you have to be tough, and some days you have to understand, you have to listen and learn and pray,” said Officer Darrell Ross.
Others spoke about Zarkeshan.
"That's something that my friend Officer Zarkeshan and I have in common. He's not from here. He dropped everything to move here and serve the citizens of this city," an officer said.
Many are stressing the importance of uniting and showing all law enforcement officers support during such trying times.
"They cannot serve us if we do not support them," one crowd member said.
Tulsa police say Sgt. Johnson's funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday July 9 at Victory Christian Church.
The funeral will be open to the public, and masks will be provided.
Related Story: Suspect Accused Of Shooting Tulsa Officers Now Faces Murder Charge
David Anthony Ware has been charged with murder in the death of Sgt. Johnson and shooting with intent to kill in the injuries to Officer Zarkeshan.
Ware also faces one count of possession of a firearm.
Matt Hall, who is accused of picking up Ware at the scene, faces one count of accessory to murder.
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