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Detroit officer killed in hit-and-run crash while driving home after shift

Officer Cameron Richardson, 32, a U.S. Army veteran, had been with the Detroit Police Department for a year, Police Chief Todd Bettison said

Officer Cameron Richardson

Detroit Police Department

By Anne Snabes
The Detroit News

DETROIT — Police in the city are mourning the loss of a fellow officer who was killed in an off-duty crash on the east side of Detroit around midnight on Saturday and are looking for a hit-and-run driver.

Officer Cameron Richardson, 32, a U.S. Army veteran, had been with the department for a year, Police Chief Todd Bettison said at a press conference Sunday afternoon at police headquarters.

Richardson’s mother, father and one of his two daughters attended the press conference. Bettison said Richardson “didn’t suffer” in the collision.

Richardson had finished his shift and was driving home, heading northbound on Hoover. At the intersection with Greiner Street, a white van was attempting to make a left turn and struck Richardson’s vehicle, causing a rollover accident.

First responders got a call about the incident at 12:09 a.m. Sunday.

Bettison said the suspect, a 28-year-old man, fled from the scene of the crash. He didn’t disclose the suspect’s name.

“We have worked tirelessly since this incident occurred,” Bettison said. “Of course, the family hasn’t been to sleep; my officers haven’t been to sleep as well, and we’ve executed two search warrants.”

He said other people were in the van, and Detroit police have detained a few of them.

He said police personnel are “actively out there, looking for” the suspect. When asked if Detroit police had located him, Bettison declined to answer but said the department “should have him in custody shortly.”

Richardson served as a ranger and a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army.

“His friends describe him as somewhat quiet, but very, very conscientious and thorough,” Bettison said, “and so we would never forget him.”

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