Motorcycle officer killed in Clinton motorcade crash

**Illiy** · 02-22-08, 11:21 AM

Motorcycle officer killed in Clinton motorcade crash

10:22 AM CST on Friday, February 22, 2008

From Staff Reports
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Dallas officer killed in motorcade crash
02/22/2008
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Dallas officer injured in motorcade crash
Supporters gather for Clinton rally in Dallas
Azure glows in Dallas skyline

A veteran Dallas police officer escorting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's entourage to a rally in Oak Cliff lost control of his motorcycle and was killed Friday morning, WFAA-TV reported.
The accident happened on the Houston Street viaduct around 9:20 a.m. The Kawasaki 1000 Police Special motorcycle apparently hit a concrete wall.
WFAA-TV helicopter pilot Troy Bush, who flew over the scene shortly after the incident, estimated that the officer had been thrown about 20 yards by the impact.
The victim was rushed to nearby Methodist Medical Center. The name of the officer, who has been part of the Dallas force since 1988, was not released.

IRWIN THOMPSON/DMN
Rescue workers attend to a Dallas Police motorcycle officer who was injured while escorting Hilary Clinton's motorcade Friday.

**snuffy2202** · 02-22-08, 11:39 AM

That is awful! May he rest in Peace. I have so many motorcycle officer friends who have been badly hurt in wrecks. Luckily, none have been killed. My prayers go out for his family and friends.

**lewisipso** · 02-22-08, 11:45 AM

Rest easy.

**Hannah87** · 02-22-08, 12:32 PM

RIP

**Illiy** · 02-22-08, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by snuffy2202

That is awful! May he rest in Peace. I have so many motorcycle officer friends who have been badly hurt in wrecks. Luckily, none have been killed. My prayers go out for his family and friends.

Local news is reporting it was a female officer, all the reports are that it was a male officer can anyone confirm? Sen. Hilliary is supposed to be issuing a statement...

**Jenna** · 02-22-08, 12:50 PM

Rest in peace.

**countybear** · 02-22-08, 01:50 PM

AP has released the following:

...We are just heartsick at this loss of life in the line of duty," a subdued Clinton told reporters after the Dallas rally.

The New York senator and Democratic presidential candidate canceled her next appearance in Fort Worth, Texas, telling about 2,000 people who had gathered outside the Tarrant County courthouse that it would be inappropriate to campaign in the wake of the officer's death.

Instead, she went to Methodist Medical Center, where she planned to visit with the officer's family.

"It is important that we respect and appreciate their service," she said. "I certainly am grateful for all they do for me."

Senior Corporal Victor Lozada Tirado died after apparently crashing into a concrete barrier along a viaduct near downtown Dallas, said Lt. Vernon Hale, a police spokesman. Aerial video showed wreckage scattered for several yards...

I am no supporter of Hilary Clinton, but I give credit where due. Her response was classy in my opinion.

**TXCharlie** · 02-22-08, 02:12 PM

I just heard about it a few minutes ago.. This is what the Dallas Morning News is reporting. This is so sad... Rest in Peace

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....196e2bd6.html

01:00 PM CST on Friday, February 22, 2008
By TANYA EISERER / The Dallas Morning News
teiserer@dallasnews.com

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Dallas officer killed in motorcade crash
02/22/2008

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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's full speech at Dallas rally
Dallas officer killed in motorcade crash
Supporters gather for Clinton rally in Dallas

A Dallas police officer died Friday when his motorcycle struck a curb on the Houston Street viaduct as he was escorting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to a rally in Oak Cliff.

"One of our motorcycle jockeys rounded the curb, hit the curb, and went down," said Lt. Vernon Hale, spokesman for the Dallas Police Department.

The officer's motorcycle was near the rear of the motorcade as it headed south on the viaduct when the accident happened about 9:20 a.m.

Police identified the officer as Senior Cpl. Victor Lozada, 49, a 20-year veteran of the department.

"There are no routine jobs in this business," Lt. Hale said. "It is a dangerous job."

"He was just a very caring police officer who loved his job, loved the Dallas Police Department and tried to do the right thing."

Senior Cpl. Victor Lozada

Cpl. Lozada was rushed to nearby Methodist Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. He had been with the department's traffic division for five years and was well-known in the East Dallas community for his work at a storefront station on Hall Street.

Cpl. Lozada was married with two sons and two daughters.
After the rally, a somber Mrs. Clinton expressed sorrow over the officer's death.

"We are just heartsick over this loss of life in the line of duty," she said.

Mrs. Clinton said the accident should serve as a reminder of the sacrifices law enforcement officers make. She said it is important that people respect and appreciate their service.

After the Dallas rally, Mrs. Clinton's motorcade proceeded to downtown Fort Worth, where she told about 1,000 supporters about the accident and then apologized, saying she could not conduct another rally.

Her motorcade then whisked her to the Dallas hospital, where she spent about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, Dallas police officials gathered outside a visitation room to prepare for Mrs. Clinton’s visit. About 30 motorcycle officers who had parked in formation outside the hospital filed inside, helmets in hand, to pay their respects.

WFAA-TV helicopter pilot Troy Bush, who flew over the scene shortly after the incident, estimated that the officer had been thrown about 20 yards by the impact.

The officer's Kawasaki 1000 Police Special motorcycle was among bits of scattered debris on the roadway, and a motorcycle helmet lay on the ground. About 10:30 a.m., a group of officers were examining the roughly 3-foot-high wall at the edge of the viaduct, measuring it and taking pictures.

Site of fatal crash

Officers were also combing the area under the bridge where debris might have fallen, possibly looking for the motorcycle's wind screen. They later took two large plastic bags of debris from the scene.

Police say no other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Last year, a police officer was killed while escorting a motorcade for President George W. Bush in Albuquerque, N.M. There was a similar fatal crash involving a presidential motorcade in Hawaii in 2006.

The viaduct is expected to remain shut down for several hours.

**121Traffic** · 02-22-08, 03:07 PM

Rest easy brother. Thank you for your sacrifice.

**Big Al** · 02-22-08, 03:08 PM

Very sad, Rest easy brother

**gozling** · 02-22-08, 03:19 PM

so sad.
thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

**narcodog** · 02-22-08, 04:48 PM

R.I.P., Prayers for his family.

**kjlaw** · 02-22-08, 05:04 PM

Rest in Peace my Brother. My thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of the fallen

**Buttercup** · 02-22-08, 05:07 PM

RIP.

**BigDawg** · 02-22-08, 07:09 PM

RIP my Brother

**Resident Smart Ass** · 02-22-08, 07:16 PM

RIP

**depusm12** · 02-22-08, 07:21 PM

RIP Brother

**dkpd1384** · 02-22-08, 08:48 PM

Rest in Peace,, all of our thoughts and prayers to the family and members of the department. We have the watch now, your next ride will be on the right side of GOD, we won't let you down.