Jan 8, 2008 1:47 pm US/Eastern
Cop Hurt During Slain Officer's Motorcade To ME
A Miami Motorcycle Officer Was Hit On I-95
NORTH MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ―
A Miami Police motorcycle officer was injured while escorting the body of slain Miami police officer James Walker to the Medical Examiner's Office.
The motorcycle officer, who was not identified, was clipped by the driver of a Mercedes on I-95 near Northwest 135th Street. The officer, who was talking with fire rescue personnel after the accident, was placed on a backboard and stretcher and then taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
No word on the extent of his injuries.
The 30-year old Walker, who has been with the force since 2000, was found shot to death in his unmarked police car at 1801 Northeast 164th Street.
CBS4 reporter Ileana Varela has confirmed that police are questioning one person who was found with a gunshot wound to their arm. Investigators are not sure in that person was an innocent bystander or was involved in the shooting. They've also recovered a high powered weapon and are searching for a white Taurus that may have been connected to the shooting.
"We don't know what trouble he got into but he got into trouble," Miami Police Lt. Bill Schwartz told CBS4's Sharrie Williams.
Miami police said that Walker, who worked in the domestic violence division, had been cleared from duty at 11:00 p.m. Monday night and they are not sure why he was in North Miami Beach. "We don't know why he was here," said Lt. Schwartz, "Perhaps he came upon something that required police action."
Walker was shot multiple times with a high-powered weapon. There were casings everywhere said Lt. Schwartz. In addition, there were blood trails leading off in different directions away from the car which seems to indicate others were injured," according to Lt. Schwartz. "His car had been filled with holes. The car was made into Swiss cheese."
Walker's ex-girlfriend lived in the area where he was found, said John Randle, the detective's brother-in-law. "I don't know what he was doing in this alley," Randle told The Associated Press. "He was a good, humble guy. He was no trouble. I can't tell you no flaws."
Walker's death is the fourth fatal shooting of a South Florida law enforcement officer in the past six months.
Miami-Dade police officer Jose Somohano was fatally shot in shootout with a suspect in September.
Broward sheriff's deputy Chris Reyka was fatally shot in August while looking for stolen vehicles behind a drug store, and BSO deputy Paul Rein was shot with his own weapon while transporting an inmate to court in November.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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