Jessica Ebbighausen, a 19-year-old officer with the Rutland Police Department, was killed in a crash with a man being chased after allegedly trying to break into a home, Vermont State Police said
A teenage police officer in Rutland, Vermont, was killed in a crash with a suspect officers were chasing Friday afternoon.
Vermont State Police say 19-year-old Jessica Ebbighausen had joined the Rutland Police Department May 23 on a part-time basis.
Ebbighausen was among the officers pursuing 20-year-old Tate Rheaume, who was accused of trying to break into an East Washington Street home, state police said.
Shortly before 3 p.m., state police say Rheaume fled from a Rutland officer in his vehicle. Other units, including Ebbighausen, responded to assist.
Ebbighausen was driving with a supervising officer in the passenger seat when state police say Rheaume crossed the center line and hit her cruiser.
Police say the damage to both vehicles was "catastrophic." Ebbighausen was pronounced dead at the scene, while two other Rutland officers and Rheaume were all hospitalized.
One officer was treated and released. The officer who was in Ebbighausen's vehicle remains hospitalized. Rheaume was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. None of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening.
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State police say they are investigating the roles of impairment and speed in the fatal crash. Initial charges have been filed against Rheaume, including grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with death resulting and attempting to elude with death resulting. Additional charges are possible, police added.
It was not immediately clear if Rheaume had obtained legal representation.
State police said Saturday that nearly three dozen Vermont law enforcement officers and first responders had escorted Ebbighausen's body back to the city she loved and served.
"We will never forget her service and her sacrifice," they wrote.
Ebbighausen, of Ira, Vt., was scheduled to start training in August at the Vermont Police Academy to become a full-time officer, police said.
“We’re hurting right now,” said Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen on Friday as he asked for community support, according to the Rutland Herald.
Ebbighausen had wanted to be a police officer since she was 9 years old, Kilcullen added. She did an internship with the police department during high school.
“She always had a smile on her face,” Kilcullen said. “We were looking forward to having her as part of our family.”
The department had recently changed its policies to discourage high-speed pursuits, he said, but did not discuss the changes further on Friday, the Rutland Herald reported.
“I’m here today to mourn, really, the loss of a family member,” he said. “The state police are conducting the investigation. At some point, we’ll review everything.”
Gov. Phil Scott said he was deeply saddened by Ebbighausen's death.
"My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends, all members of the Rutland City Police Department and the entire Rutland community," the governor wrote in a tweet. "This is a reminder of the risks our officers face every day, and my thoughts are with all of them tonight."
Scott said state police and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will offer support as they all work to respond to this loss.
Before Ebbighausen’s death, 28 Vermont officers had died in the line of duty, including two in vehicle pursuits, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks law enforcement deaths. Of those Vermont officers whose ages are listed, she was by far the youngest.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
