CASTLETON — Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen said 19-year-old Jessica Ebbighausen was aware at a young age she wanted a career in law enforcement.
“Jessica knew at 9 years old she wanted to be a police officer,” Kilcullen said, adding that even before she joined the force, she interned with the department’s Community Response Team to get a firsthand look of what the work entailed.
“I remember seeing her with the team, witnessing both the joy and seriousess she exuded, always with a smile on her face, seeking to learn from the team what public service looked like up close,” the police chief said of Ebbighausen.
Kilcullen spoke Tuesday morning at the funeral for Ebbighausen, who was killed July 7 in Rutland when her cruiser was struck head-on on Woodstock Avenue in Rutland by a truck driven by an alleged burglary suspect as he tried to flee, according to police reports.
Tuesday’s service, held on the campus of Vermont State University’s Castleton campus, drew a large crowd that included several hundred local, county, state and federal first responders from across New England and New York wearing black ribbons over their badges.
Elected officials, including Gov. Phil Scott, also attended the service.
Rutland Mayor Michael Doenges was among those who spoke, standing at the podium adorned with Ebbighausen’s call number, M966. Photos of her also graced the stage along with several arrangements of flowers. Two Rutland City police cruisers were parked on each side of the platform.
Doenges spoke of Ebbighausen’s strong desire to serve her community.
“To find an individual with such passion and heart for law enforcement and public service in this difficult time in our current climate is unheard of,” the mayor said.
“Rutland was blessed to have her, to have that passion as part of our city, as part of our community,” Doenges said, “even for a short time.”
Andrew Ebbighausen, Jessica Ebbighausen’s brother, told the crowd he had prepared a speech but he was too emotional to deliver it.
“I think all I really have the strength to say is, ‘Jessica I love you and you were my best friend’,” he said from the podium.
Troy Ebbighausen, Jessica Ebbighausen’s uncle, spoke of her “positivity” as she took on tasks.
“She was endearing, good natured and her sense of humor was unmatched,” he said, adding, “If you were looking for the unfiltered truth, Jess had the ability to be brutally honest, charming, adorable and amazing all at the same time.”
Ebbighausen worked for the department less than two months ago as a part-time, Level 2 certified officer. She was scheduled to begin training next month to get her full certification.
Police said Tate Rheaume, 20, of Salisbury, was fleeing police who were looking for him for allegedly harassing and breaking into the residence of a former partner in Rutland on the afternoon of July 7.
According to Vermont State Police, as Rheaume was heading west on Woodstock Avenue, two police cruisers were traveling east toward him, including one driven by Ebbighausen.
She was with a supervising officer, Richard Caravaggio, in the passenger seat.
Rheaume, according to state police, crossed the centerline into the eastbound lanes and collided with Ebbighausen’s cruiser before his truck struck the second eastbound cruiser.
Ebbighausen was thrown from her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police reports. A preliminary investigation showed neither she nor Caravaggio was wearing a seat belt.
Rheaume was charged with grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle and attempting to elude, both with death resulting, in the crash that killed Ebbighausen. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Vermont State Police are conducting an investigation into the incident.
Kilcullen, Rutland City’s police chief, spoke during Ebbighausen’s service about the many challenges facing law enforcement today, all while dealing with resources stretched thin.
“I implore everyone here to consider what you can do to help bring about positive change and much needed relief for our overburdened system,” he said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified Andrew Ebbighausen.
