Deputy Sheriff Charles Cook
Buchanan County Sheriff's Department
Missouri
End of Watch: Thursday, June 28, 2007

Biographical Info
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 319

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: Saturday, June 23, 2007
Weapon Used: Automobile; Motorcycle
Suspect Info: At large

Deputy Charles Cook succumbed to injuries sustained 5 days earlier while pursuing a motorcycle on the Belt Highway.

The motorcycle had been observed harassing a St. Joseph police officer by continuously driving past the officer and doing wheelies while the officer was conducting a traffic stop.

The officer radioed the situation in to dispatch and Deputy Cook responded to the scene. As the motorcycle fled northbound on the highway Deputy Cook attempted to catch up to it. As he crested a small hill he encountered a semi truck turning left across the highway. Deputy Cook swerved to avoid striking the truck but his patrol SUV left the roadway and struck a traffic control box.

He was transported to a local hospital where he remained in critical condition until succumbing to his injuries. The motorcyclist who caused the incident was not captured.

Deputy Cook had served with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.