Regarding “Man charged in crash that killed 19-year-old Rutland police officer during chase”: This is a tragedy. A life snuffed out much too soon by a criminal fleeing a police stop. Not even old enough to have a drink, and Officer Ebbighausen is out on the streets fulfilling her desire to help protect the public. That’s a level of bravery uncommon in her generation.
Now I have a question for the Rutland police command staff and her training officer. What the heck were you thinking? Why wasn’t she wearing a seat belt? Why was her “training” officer not wearing one? Rutland police must have a policy covering mandatory seat belt usage.
A 19-year-old driver who has had her driver’s license for approximately three years is allowed to be involved in a police pursuit? This wasn’t a dangerous felon. This at best would have been traffic offenses. And a burglary charge.
Yes, she was doing her job. One she was apparently born for. There are a great many questions that need to be answered regarding her advanced driver’s training/pursuit experience.
Law enforcement is a very difficult and dangerous job. I hope her family takes solace in the fact that they raised a good person who cared enough to enter this arena. She died doing what her heart told her was right. May she rest in peace. She was a peacekeeper.
William J. Wolfe
Retired corporal
Burlington Police Department
