07-08-2012, 07:59 PM
RIP Officer Christopher Reeves
![[Image: millvillechistopherreeves_10739342.jpg]](http://r1.cygnuspub.com/files/cygnus/image/OFCR/2012/JUL/300x200/millvillechistopherreeves_10739342.jpg)
MILLVILLE, N.J. - July 8, 2012 (WPVI) -- A southern New Jersey police officer has died after his cruiser and another vehicle collided early Sunday.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae says Millville police officer Christopher Reeves was on duty when the crash occurred around 2:15 a.m.
It happened at the intersection of 3rd and Broad Streets just after 2:00am Sunday Morning.
Webb-McRae declined further comment on the accident, including whether Reeves was responding to a call at the time of the crash, saying only that it was under investigation by her office and the state police.
However, Jim Ryan, a spokesman for the State Policemen's Benevolent Association, said Sunday afternoon that Reeves' patrol car was struck by a driver who was fleeing police. Ryan said another officer in the car with Reeves was critically injured in the accident, but further details were not immediately available.
Witnesses say police were chasing a black SUV down 3rd Street. They say this police cruiser was hit broadside on the driver's side when it came out of Broad Street trying to cut off the SUV.
Officer Christopher Reeves was killed instantly.
"All of a sudden I heard a boom like lightning," said Rebecca. "I just knew somebody died."
A witness captured much of the incident on video, including the driver of the SUV being wheeled into an ambulance. He says other officers pummeled the suspect.
"The cop that was chasing, he broke the window, he sliced his arm up, and he started beating up the kid that was in the car," said Marc Yatzowitz.
Officials say Reeves was a 1991 Millville Senior High School graduate who served in the Marine Corps before joining the Millville force eight years ago. He also had served with the Millville Fire Department.
Reeves' survivors include his wife, Susan, who also is a Millville police officer, and their 2-year-old son.
MILLVILLE, N.J. - July 8, 2012 (WPVI) -- A southern New Jersey police officer has died after his cruiser and another vehicle collided early Sunday.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae says Millville police officer Christopher Reeves was on duty when the crash occurred around 2:15 a.m.
It happened at the intersection of 3rd and Broad Streets just after 2:00am Sunday Morning.
Webb-McRae declined further comment on the accident, including whether Reeves was responding to a call at the time of the crash, saying only that it was under investigation by her office and the state police.
However, Jim Ryan, a spokesman for the State Policemen's Benevolent Association, said Sunday afternoon that Reeves' patrol car was struck by a driver who was fleeing police. Ryan said another officer in the car with Reeves was critically injured in the accident, but further details were not immediately available.
Witnesses say police were chasing a black SUV down 3rd Street. They say this police cruiser was hit broadside on the driver's side when it came out of Broad Street trying to cut off the SUV.
Officer Christopher Reeves was killed instantly.
"All of a sudden I heard a boom like lightning," said Rebecca. "I just knew somebody died."
A witness captured much of the incident on video, including the driver of the SUV being wheeled into an ambulance. He says other officers pummeled the suspect.
"The cop that was chasing, he broke the window, he sliced his arm up, and he started beating up the kid that was in the car," said Marc Yatzowitz.
Officials say Reeves was a 1991 Millville Senior High School graduate who served in the Marine Corps before joining the Millville force eight years ago. He also had served with the Millville Fire Department.
Reeves' survivors include his wife, Susan, who also is a Millville police officer, and their 2-year-old son.