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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - When the light turns green . . . don't just go without looking--

Posted: 10/4/2005 11:58:12 AM EDT

Guys, we lost an LEO last night. She was 37 y/o and on duty when her squad car was "T-boned" as she proceeded into an intersection after her light turned green. The guy at fault was DRT, but she lingered from Sat. night until last night. God bless her.

Here's an article from yesterday's online newspaper:

Local News

Officer still critical after crash

- Published online on Monday, October 3, 2005 6:51 AM CDT
DECATUR - The Decatur police officer seriously injured in a car accident remained in critical condition Sunday night at Carle Trauma Center in Urbana.

Patrol officer Robin Vogel had to be cut free from the wreckage of her squad car early Saturday after it collided with a car driven by C. Joshua Meixner of rural Cerro Gordo at Pershing and North Main streets. Meixner, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:20 a.m.

Vogel, who lives in Springfield, was cut free from the wreckage of her vehicle and initially taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital before being transferred by helicopter to Carle.

Decatur Police called in the Illinois State Police to investigate what happened, which is standard procedure in accidents and serious incidents involving its own officers.

In a statement, the state police office at Pesotum said Vogel was stopped at a red light on Pershing at 4:03 a.m. She then proceeded forward westbound after the light turned green and was broadsided by Meixner driving a Lexus sedan southbound on Main Street. The police say Meixner failed to stop at a red light.

Macon County Coroner Michael Day, said in a statement that Meixner had died of "massive head and torso trauma." An inquest into his death is pending.

Posted: 10/4/2005 12:01:23 PM EDT

[#1]

I tell my wife that ALL the time

Posted: 10/4/2005 12:03:50 PM EDT

[#2]

that will definatly get you killed here. Know a few people that have been hit doing it, no one that died. Sad day.

Posted: 10/4/2005 12:39:44 PM EDT

[#3]

how fast was the other driver going? Must have been a fairly impressive rate of speed

Posted: 10/4/2005 12:45:58 PM EDT

[#4]

Sorry to hear TBK.

I probably won't be surprised to hear the toxicology results on the driver. Sat night, 4am.

Posted: 10/4/2005 12:52:53 PM EDT

[#5]

Sorry to hear that. For those that have seen the pictures of my accident, that is EXACTLY what happened to me. People don't pay attention to red lights for anything.

Posted: 10/4/2005 1:41:36 PM EDT

[#6]

I'm very sorry to hear this. Unfortunately this is all too common and it's not just w/ LEO's. Sometimes that light is blatantly green for you and blatantly red for cross traffic, and you still see someone crash the light. I wish your department the best during this time, and most of all her family/people she's left behind. In some ways the driver at fault's death seems right w/ this situation, and in other ways I'd almost rather see them in jail. I'm not sure which would be the fitting punishment.

Posted: 10/4/2005 2:22:27 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
how fast was the other driver going? Must have been a fairly impressive rate of speed

Um, I deliberately withheld comment on that. Word is his car came in from the passenger side and reached her--so he had to have been going very fast. Dunno what will play out, but one innocent is now dead, so this really stinks.

I'll update this with her obit and any more info that becomes available.

Oh, CsabaH, I appreciate the kind words--but I'm not an LEO. It's just that I know the Chief and a number of the Officers on the force (one is a close friend of many years--and fellow RKBA activist). It's a small town (80,000) and I get around on my job, so it's a small world. I worked to get the Coroner (Mike Day) mentioned in the article elected--pro gun guy and very conservative.

Posted: 10/4/2005 2:36:57 PM EDT

[#8]

sorry to hear TBK.

Posted: 10/4/2005 5:18:34 PM EDT

[#9]

Since I have moved to Texas, I scan more often and frequently sitting at lights and approaching intersections.

As others have mentioned people do not pay attention, are very inconsiderate
and just plan STUPID !!

Posted: 10/4/2005 5:23:28 PM EDT

[#10]

Posted: 10/4/2005 5:23:38 PM EDT

[#11]

Mike, any word yet on funeral plans? If I'm off, I'll see if I can get approval to go.

Posted: 10/4/2005 6:05:39 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Mike, any word yet on funeral plans? If I'm off, I'll see if I can get approval to go.

Nothing yet--the obit hasn't even hit. I will go too, if possible. I'll post the obit tomorrow. Thanks, Bro.

Posted: 10/4/2005 7:49:36 PM EDT

[#13]

Posted: 10/4/2005 9:09:19 PM EDT

[#14]

I'm so sorry to hear this.

Just a random thing, but when I was a kid we lived in Mt. Zion just outside Decatur and I remember my mother getting to an accident at the intersection of Pershing / Water. Its practically the same intersection. The same thing happened to her too. The light turned green, she started to go...then blam. Some guy blew the light on her. I just remember it so well because it was the first time in my life something bad happened to a family member. Fortunately, she recovered.

Seems like I remember this intersection always being dangerous.

Anyway, my story is trivial compared to your loss. My condolences to you and your department.

Posted: 10/5/2005 5:12:59 AM EDT

[#15]

This morning's article:

Police officer's death sparks deep mourning
By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer
- Published online on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:47 AM CDT

DECATUR - Robin Vogel's family said she lived for her job as a police officer, Decatur Police Chief Mark Barthelemy told a hushed news conference called Tuesday to discuss the 37-year-old's six-and-a-half year career.

At times choking back tears, Bar;thelemy described Vogel as "energetic, upbeat and spirited." He said her enthusiastic attitude rubbed off on everyone with whom she came into contact.

The third-shift patrol officer also was a field training officer and a cultural diversity officer for the Decatur department.

Vogel died at 11:21 p.m. Monday in Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, from injuries suffered when her squad car was hit broadside by another vehicle at 4:03 a.m. Saturday at Pershing Road and Main Street. The driver of that vehicle, Joshua Meixner, 24, of Cerro Gordo was pronounced dead at the scene.

Barthelemy said Vogel "decided long ago to donate organs if anything ever happened to her. Her wishes were honored. I don't know which organs were suitable."

Vogel was divorced. She leaves a 15-year-old son. She had been residing in Decatur after living for many years in Springfield, the chief said.

An escort of 10 Decatur squad cars filled with fellow officers returned Vogel's body to Decatur early Tuesday as Macon County sheriff's deputies took over patrol duties in the community to free officers for the tribute.

Vogel's accident created an outpouring of compassion among area police officers, Barthelemy said. While she was hospitalized, Champaign officers opened their homes to her family, brought food to the hospital and provided coins for vending machines, he said.

As the Decatur squad cars escorted her home, Champaign, Urbana and University of Illinois police officers parked their cars at intersections along the route and stood saluting as the cortege passed about 2 a.m., Barthelemy said. At intervals along Interstate 72, Illinois State Police, Champaign County sheriff's deputies and Monticello police officers added their salutes, he said.

Decatur Mayor Paul Osborne said the city staff and residents of Decatur express their condolences to Vogel's family.

"It's a shock to lose an officer in circumstances like this," Osborne said. "This is one reason we appreciate the police department and the responsibilities (the officers) have."

Deputy Police Chief David Slade said while police department members mourn Vogel, they realize there is a family in Cerro Gordo that also mourns a loss.

"We grieve with them, too," Slade said.

Vogel's death is the first of an on-duty officer since 1912 when an officer was murdered while on patrol at Short and Cerro Gordo streets near the rail yards, Barthelemy said.

"Each and every time we swear in a class of officers, we tell the recruits about the unseemly nature of the things officers see while on the job, of the ungodly dangers that they will face while working to protect and serve the residents of this community," Barthelemy said. "Yet, it is times like this, when those dangers become a reality, and we truly realize that there's no way to brace for the feelings of hurt and anger, powerlessness and sadness that come with the loss of an officer."

Barthelemy declined to discuss whether Vogel was wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident, saying he wanted to wait for the results of the Illinois State Police investigation into the crash. He said the department's policy is for all officers to wear seat belts as required by state law.

Initial state police reports indicated Vogel was not wearing a seat belt.

Meixner's car was southbound at a high rate of speed on Main Street when it ran the red light at Pershing Road and struck Vogel's westbound squad car in the passenger side as she pulled into the intersection, state police said.

Debris from the crash was spread over more than a block-long area, Barthelemy said. After impact, the two vehicles traveled from the north side of the intersection south and came to rest in front of Tater's Restaurant, he said.

The Decatur Police Department is conducting a parallel investigation because it does not know when the state police will complete the independent review, which can sometimes be delayed because of other pressing needs, Barthelemy said. Interviewing witnesses again may cause someone to remember or mention something that was forgotten when state troopers did their interviews, he said.

Posted: 10/5/2005 5:37:41 AM EDT

[#16]

Here's the obituary in today's paper:

Robin G. Vogel

DECATUR - Robin G. Vogel, 37, of Springfield, died on Monday, Oct. 03, 2005 in Carle Foundation Hospital, Champaign. Mass of Christian Burial celebrating her life will be 10 a.m. Thurs. Oct. 6, 2005 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 3850 Lourdes Dr, Rev. Richard Weltin celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Decatur. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Wed. Oct. 5, 2005 in the Church. Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Robin was born on Sept. 6, 1968 in Arlington Heights, Illinois the daughter of Robert and Marilyn Pavlicek Cisowski. She was a Police Officer for the city of Decatur for the last six years, a member of the PB&PA #39, and the Springfield Ski and Boat Club. Robin just recently received her Associates Degree from Lincoln Land Community College. She enjoyed outdoor activities but especially liked to play softball Surviving is her son, Alex West of Springfield; parents: Robert and Marilyn Pavlicek Cisowski of Midway, AR; sisters: Cheryl Davis of East Peoria; Suzie Brown (husband, Bruce) of Deer Creek; grandfather, Louis Pavlicek of Mountain Home AR; nephews: Justin and Matthew Brown; ex-husband, Michael Vogel of Springfield; special friend, Adam Jahraus of Decatur; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Robin was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Grace Pavlicek and paternal grandparents, Nicholas and Jennie Cisowski. View the online obituary and send condolences to the Vogel family at: obit.moranandgoebel.com/obit_display.cgi?id=256505&clientid=moranandgoebel&listing=Current Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=15299762

Posted: 10/5/2005 5:41:21 AM EDT

[#17]

Posted: 10/5/2005 8:02:58 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Quoted:
how fast was the other driver going? Must have been a fairly impressive rate of speed

Um, I deliberately withheld comment on that. Word is his car came in from the passenger side and reached her--so he had to have been going very fast. Dunno what will play out, but one innocent is now dead, so this really stinks.

That's what the description sounded like. We're talking a lexus vs a crown vic. Neither are tin cans. Takes a lot of force to get from the passenger door to the drivers seat. I'm assuming everyone was wearing their seatbelts.

Posted: 10/5/2005 8:08:46 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
how fast was the other driver going? Must have been a fairly impressive rate of speed

Um, I deliberately withheld comment on that. Word is his car came in from the passenger side and reached her--so he had to have been going very fast. Dunno what will play out, but one innocent is now dead, so this really stinks.

That's what the description sounded like. We're talking a lexus vs a crown vic. Neither are tin cans. Takes a lot of force to get from the passenger door to the drivers seat. I'm assuming everyone was wearing their seatbelts.

They recently went to Chevy Impalas--MUCH smaller/lighter and less sturdy overall. Now that it's been published, word is he was travelling VERY fast. It sounds as though her squad was pushed at least a half a block. Seat belts would not have helped her--and frankly I don't care about him (based upon the facts available to me)--and view individuals who do this kind of thing simply as a good riddance that hopefully didn't have the chance to breed.

Posted: 10/5/2005 10:07:55 AM EDT

[#20]

I won't be able to make it down there, Mike. I work a 12 hour shift tonight and don't get off until 530 am. It'd be too far and too long to safely drive to risk falling asleep behind the wheel of a squad on the interstate. I'll say a prayer, though.

My guess is the other driver was probably intoxicated. However I've heard of crashes where a driver's had a heart attack and is now in a car w/ foot on the gas pedal, turning it into an unguided missle. Usually when that happens, though, the car veers off the shoulder. Coroner probably won't release autopsy results until the inquest, which might be a while

Posted: 10/5/2005 11:42:53 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
I won't be able to make it down there, Mike. I work a 12 hour shift tonight and don't get off until 530 am. It'd be too far and too long to safely drive to risk falling asleep behind the wheel of a squad on the interstate. I'll say a prayer, though.

My guess is the other driver was probably intoxicated. However I've heard of crashes where a driver's had a heart attack and is now in a car w/ foot on the gas pedal, turning it into an unguided missle. Usually when that happens, though, the car veers off the shoulder. Coroner probably won't release autopsy results until the inquest, which might be a while

Thanks, Bro.--I have a feeling her service is going to be very well attended. I've only heard good things about her. I appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers.

Posted: 10/5/2005 11:45:40 AM EDT

[#22]

Godsped Officer Vogel.

Posted: 10/5/2005 12:04:29 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
how fast was the other driver going? Must have been a fairly impressive rate of speed

Um, I deliberately withheld comment on that. Word is his car came in from the passenger side and reached her--so he had to have been going very fast. Dunno what will play out, but one innocent is now dead, so this really stinks.

That's what the description sounded like. We're talking a lexus vs a crown vic. Neither are tin cans. Takes a lot of force to get from the passenger door to the drivers seat. I'm assuming everyone was wearing their seatbelts.

They recently went to Chevy Impalas--MUCH smaller/lighter and less sturdy overall. Now that it's been published, word is he was travelling VERY fast. It sounds as though her squad was pushed at least a half a block. Seat belts would not have helped her--and frankly I don't care about him (based upon the facts available to me)--and view individuals who do this kind of thing simply as a good riddance that hopefully didn't have the chance to breed.

Amen to that.

Posted: 10/5/2005 12:32:01 PM EDT

[#24]

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - When the light turns green . . . don't just go without looking--

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