Officer down, Charlestown PD Indiana

[cop414]

BENTON BERTRAM

Sergeant Ben Bertram was killed in a vehicle crash yesterday while involved in a vehicle pursuit on State Road 3 at 10:30 pm.

He had attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation but the driver refused to stop. As the pursuit neared State Road 56, in Scott County, Sergeant Bertram's vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Other officers in the pursuit immediately stopped and rendered aid but Sergeant Bertram succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The driver continued to flee but was apprehended in Clark County. He was charged with resisting law enforcement resulting in death and auto theft.

Sergeant Bertram's canine partner survived the crash and was treated at a local veterinary hospital.

Sergeant Bertram had served with the Charlestown Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his parents.

Godspeed my brother, may you Rest In Peace.

Current US LEO line of duty deaths at 140, up 3% over last year.

[BBL]

Rest in Peace, Sergeant.

[dba]

All due respect and I hope he rests in peace, but WTF?

The other week, when 4 officers were killed over the same weekend, 3 of the 4 were single vehicle collisions wherein the officer lost control his his vehicle and was killed for his trouble.

A FLA officer records himself at 120 mph plus and admits to 145 mph as his car caught fire TWICE by stopping his car and having the hot exhaust on dry grass. The violator's crime? 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. So it's okay for an officer to almost double the speed limit for someone doing 10 mph over? Who's the real danger in that situation?

Until either training gets better or policies for pursuing have more penalties for officers using bad judgment, this will continue.

I taught officers in high performance driving for 15 years and I just am baffled at what's going on these days.

[SemperFi]

Rest in peace Sergeant Bertram.

[GradyPhilpott]

Rest in peace.

[Old Geezer]

RIP. Not sure how law enforcement is going to deal with these high speed pursuits. Obviously the perpetrators don’t care about who they put at risk or kill. I don’t think we can give criminals free reign to committt crimes and flee without being pursued on the assumption they be caught later.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by dba

All due respect and I hope he rests in peace, but WTF?

The other week, when 4 officers were killed over the same weekend, 3 of the 4 were single vehicle collisions wherein the officer lost control his his vehicle and was killed for his trouble.

A FLA officer records himself at 120 mph plus and admits to 145 mph as his car caught fire TWICE by stopping his car and having the hot exhaust on dry grass. The violator's crime? 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. So it's okay for an officer to almost double the speed limit for someone doing 10 mph over? Who's the real danger in that situation?

Until either training gets better or policies for pursuing have more penalties for officers using bad judgment, this will continue.

I taught officers in high performance driving for 15 years and I just am baffled at what's going on these days.

Is this really the place for this?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by gradyphilpott

is this really the place for this?

x1000.

Rest in Peace, Sergeant.

[Romeojk]

My thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Bertram and his family


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[dba]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Is this really the place for this?

I don't know. But I was a cop for over 20 years and it still breaks my heart when I hear about these events. Like a lot of other cops, probably; just looking for some answers and perhaps a friendly shoulder.

[cop414]

I hear you David, it’s maddening. I was an accident reconstructionist for 19 of my 26 years on the job so I saw more than my share of carnage.
I did my fair share of reprimanding for just what you’re talking about but in the same vein I’m sure that when the adrenaline was pumping that I probably drove faster than was prudent, that definitely toned down with more experience.

That being said, I feel your frustration but these threads are for remembering the fallen no matter how they died.

Be well brother.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by dba

I don't know. But I was a cop for over 20 years and it still breaks my heart when I hear about these events. Like a lot of other cops, probably; just looking for some answers and perhaps a friendly shoulder.

My only concern was that this is a memorial thread that may not be an appropriate place for an analysis.

It is, however, Tim's thread and he of course may use it as he wishes.

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[RichM]

Rest In Peace Sgt. Bertram. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and the Department.

Here's to bringing the LODD number down next year.

[Urosfan]

Rip brother

[Toony]

Very Sad. RIP

[bravetony]

May he rest in peace and God bless him.

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Originally Posted by dba

All due respect and I hope he rests in peace, but WTF?

The other week, when 4 officers were killed over the same weekend, 3 of the 4 were single vehicle collisions wherein the officer lost control his his vehicle and was killed for his trouble.

A FLA officer records himself at 120 mph plus and admits to 145 mph as his car caught fire TWICE by stopping his car and having the hot exhaust on dry grass. The violator's crime? 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. So it's okay for an officer to almost double the speed limit for someone doing 10 mph over? Who's the real danger in that situation?

Until either training gets better or policies for pursuing have more penalties for officers using bad judgment, this will continue.

I taught officers in high performance driving for 15 years and I just am baffled at what's going on these days.

I witnessed something similar the other day. A car goes by me pretty quickly. maybe 10-15 over. Cop coming the opposite way of course flips a U-turn after we all pass. But, the cop turns with such aggressiveness he pretty much slams the curb while making the U-Turn. I see a puff of dust. Then he's on it HARD to catch up. Meanwhile, the speeder has already started to pull off. The cop acted like he was having to chase down a hardened criminal on the run. Ridiculous. I'm sure that Right front wheel/tire has some damage too. Is it really that serious?

[Deityjazz]

Hurts me to hear the demise of a man who brought out his time to make the world a better place dying in a horrific way. i feel for his family. RIP Ben