With ongoing international concern the over the coronavirus pandemic, the brave professionalism of health care workers has been noted in a number of public outlets.\u00a0 Another group, law enforcement, at all levels, leaves for work every day, amid the same corona-related fears and concerns we all have, to go and serve others.\u00a0 And yesterday, one of them left for work never to return.\u00a0 Officer Christopher Walsh died trying to end a string of shootings that was terrorizing Springfield Missouri Sunday night and appears to have been conducted by the suspect who killed him when he responded to shots fired at a gas station.\u00a0 Officer Josiah Overton received non-life-threatening injuries.<\/p>\n
We at Security & Training Solutions send our prayers to the family of Officer Walsh and to Officer Overton and our sincere thanks for their bravery.<\/p>\n
(Springfield Press Release Below)<\/p>\n
News Flash
\nSpringfield Police Department News Releases
\nPosted on: March 16, 2020
\nSPD Investigates Fatal Shootings<\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n
Statement from Police Chief Paul Williams Regarding Fatal Shootings:<\/p>\n
The information being released this morning are the confirmed facts we have available at this time and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.<\/p>\n
On March 15, 2020, at 11:24 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Battlefield Rd. and Lone Pine Ave. regarding a shooting. While en route, multiple shooting calls were received, including one at 2100 S Ingram Mill and another at Sunshine and Hwy 65.<\/p>\n
Another call came in at 11:43 and officers were dispatched to the Kum & Go located at 2885 E Chestnut Expressway regarding another shooting. We believe one individual is responsible for each of these incidents. Callers at the Kum & Go reported a vehicle crashing at the scene and an armed suspect entering the store and shooting customers and employees.<\/p>\n
Officer Josiah Overton and Officer Christopher Walsh were first to arrive and were immediately fired upon by the suspect.<\/p>\n
Other responding officers arrived, removed the two injured officers and made entry into the store where they found the suspect deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.<\/p>\n
At the scene, they also located three other deceased individuals and one person with a gunshot wound. That person was transported to a local hospital where they are being treated. Next of kin for the victims have not been notified yet.<\/p>\n
The suspect has not yet been positively identified.
\nUnfortunately, Officer Christopher Walsh suffered a fatal gunshot wound and passed away at the hospital.
\nOfficer Josiah Overton sustained non-life threatening injuries and is being treated at a local hospital.
\nOfficer Overton has been with SPD for two years and Officer Walsh was with SPD for three and a half years and was a U.S. Army veteran who remained active in the Army Reserves.<\/p>\n
Both of these officers showed significant bravery and were heroic in their actions. We ask that you respect their families\u2019 privacy at this time. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for the officers\u2019 families and the members of the Springfield Police Department.<\/p>\n
# # #
\nCase number: 20-9760
\nMedia Contact: PAO Jasmine Bailey
\n417-864-1786
\nJnBailey@Springfieldmo.gov
\nRelease authorized by Chief Paul Williams<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Amid slowdowns, shutdowns and closures elsewhere, the heroism of law enforcement officers is as strong as ever in the age of coronavirus. With ongoing international concern the over the coronavirus pandemic, the brave professionalism of health care workers has been noted in a number of public outlets.\u00a0 Another group, law enforcement, at all levels, leaves […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n