Louisiana Sheriff's Motorcycle Deputy Killed in Crash During Funeral Procession
What to Know
- Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer was a 14-year veteran of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, serving in corrections, patrol, and traffic divisions.
- He was working an off-duty funeral escort with a New Orleans police officer when he was struck by an unidentified driver on Airline Drive.
- Ohlmeyer suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital, prompting an outpouring of condolences from the community and law enforcement.
NEW ORLEANS -- The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has released the name of the motorcycle deputy who was killed in a crash on Airline Drive in New Orleans while escorting a funeral procession Friday morning.
Christopher Paul Ohlmeyer, 41, from River Ridge, was a married father of two who'd been with the Sheriff's Office for 14 years, according to Capt. Jason Rivarde, spokesperson for the department.
Deputy Ohlmeyer spent nearly 15 years with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, JPSO said in a news release. Starting in corrections, he graduated from the the training academy in August 2014. He was then assigned to the Fourth District, where he spent 11 years serving the people of east Jefferson. Last year, he transferred to the traffic division and recently qualified as a motorman.
Ohlmeyer received multiple letters of recognition and many citizen's compliments over the course of his career, the Sheriff's Office said.
The crash occurred about 11:40 a.m. in the 9200 block of Airline Drive in New Orleans, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
Ohlmeyer was working an off-duty detail, escorting a funeral procession with a New Orleans police officer when he began to slow to a stop in the center lane of Airline, authorities said.
An unidentified driver slammed into the back of Ohlmeyer's motorcycle. He suffered severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the NOPD.
"This is a hard day for us. This is a hard day for law enforcement," said Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy John Fitzpatrick as he stood with other law enforcement officials outside of University Medical Center in New Orleans Friday afternoon. "We have a wife upstairs and kids upstairs dealing with this traumatic event, and we ask that you think about us today."
Funeral arrangements
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office on Saturday announced funeral details for Christopher Ohlmeyer, the deputy who was killed Friday morning on Airline Drive in New Orleans while escorting a funeral procession.
Ohlmeyer’s funeral will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie, with the viewing period set to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the service.
After the service will be a procession to Garden of Memories, where law enforcement honors will be conducted.
“Christopher was deeply committed to protecting his community and serving with honor, integrity, and compassion. His badge was an important part of who he was, but to us, he was more. He was a person who impacted the lives of everyone who knew him,” Ohlmeyer’s family said in a statement Saturday.
Ohlmeyer, 41, was a married father of two and had been with JPSO since 2014, Capt. Jason Rivarde said.
Ohlmeyer was working an off-duty detail, escorting a funeral procession with a New Orleans police officer when he began to slow his motorcycle to a stop in the center lane of Airline, authorities said.
An unidentified driver slammed into the back of Ohlmeyer's motorcycle. He suffered severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
“We are heartbroken by this loss and ask for privacy as we grieve and support one another during this difficult time,” his family said in a statement.
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