Policeman in Obama motorcade hit by pickup, dies

Police officers tend to injured Jupiter Police Department motorcycle officer Sunday / SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages

(AP) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A motorcycle police officer who was part of President Obama's motorcade to a campaign event in Florida died Sunday after being struck by a pickup truck.

Officer Bruce St. Laurent, 55, was a 20-year veteran of the Jupiter Police Department and one of several officers from agencies across Palm Beach County helping with security for the president's visit.

He was ahead of the motorcade on Interstate 95 preparing to shut down the highway when he was hit by the Ford F-150, Palm Beach County Sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. He was taken to nearby St. Mary's Medical Center and was pronounced dead.

Jupiter Police spokesman Sgt. Scott Pascarella, told The Palm Beach Post (http://bit.ly/QdMZwr ) he trained St. Laurent when he was a new officer.

"We didn't lose a co-worker. We lost a friend," Pascarella told the newspaper. "He would do anything for anyone."

Barbera said an investigation was ongoing and no charges had yet been filed against the driver.

Mr. Obama was on the second day of a bus tour through the key swing state and made a campaign appearance Sunday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said the president didn't see the accident, but he was notified of the officer's death and said "our thoughts and prayers are with the officer's family."

The Post also reported that St. Laurent had been a motorcycle officer for 18 years and in 2005 he earned a Distinguished Service Award by the Traffic Safety Committee of the Palm Beaches.

The newspaper reported that in 2001, he was injured when a vehicle he was chasing suddenly stopped and he rammed into it. The two occupants were later arrested, one on a charge of driving with a revoked license and the other for having an outstanding warrant for reckless driving.

[Lucas4440-]

Another one bites the dust being around Obama.
The guy is a jinx and evil messiah of doom and death instead of Hope and Change.
Sure hope his bad mojo gets him real soon.
Must be some of that Old Black Magic from Kenya Curse.

[rnrstar]

Seek help for your ODS.

[AOCGUY]

by Lucas4440 September 10, 2012 6:31 PM EDT
Another one bites the dust being around Obama.
The guy is a jinx and evil messiah of doom and death instead of Hope and Change.
Sure hope his bad mojo gets him real soon.
Must be some of that Old Black Magic from Kenya Curse.

What is with you conservatives callling Obama the messiah? You really have a complex about him. Ever notice that not one, not one mind you, liberal has ever used that word when describing him. Some sort of weird hero worship you boys have there.

[Lucas4440-]

You tell me. You voted for him thinking he was your saviour and messiah of no hope or change just like the biased site manager Obama shill who deletes comments to prop him up.

[rnrstar]

I didn't vote for Obama because I thought he was my savior or messiah but because he was a far better choice to run the country than McCain and his North Pole Nut.

[rwsmith29456]

Hit by a pickup truck?? I'll bet Obama got his driver's license in Kenya.

[jennrice11]

The people of West Texas send our condolences to the family, friends & Department of Officer Bruce St. Laurent. Thank you for your service, Officer St. Laurent. May you rest in peace, Sir.

[jgnv]

Unfortunately, any of us who live in cities that have and continue to be visited by the two political candidates running for office this November realize that it presents many challenges for local citizens and law enforcement. That being said, I would prefer to see legislation passed regarding future Presidential elections that would limit personal appearances as well as the time period allotted to political TV ads and money spent on elections in general. I think all voters grow weary of viewing the neverending onslaught of negative political TV ads months before election day and resent the personal visits as they disrupt their daily commute. Shaking hands and kissing babies does not qualify anyone to hold office and I believe the majority of voters are intelligent enough to realize that and will ultimately vote for the candidate they feel is most capable of providing the leadership they expect and deserve.

[Jhhilgers]

What a stupid discussions sometimes in this topic. I am from the Netherlands (Europe). Hereby I will sent my toughts to the family and collegues from that cop that has died in such a bad accident. You go on the move everyday, says goodbye to your relatives and maybe a kiss...and you will never come home alive. I must not think about that!

I think all in this topic should think about this and write some notes to his collegues and family.

[rcsmith1982]

You are so right! This police officer died due to injuries received in the line of duty. His friends and family are in mourning and deserve our respect and compassion. They don't care whose detail he was on - their concern is that he's not coming home. I get so tired of people bringing politics into everything.

[hypnotoad72]

rcsmith1982.

Agreed.

[Kwarrant]

Just my thoughts: To blame this on Obama is ludicrous and childish. Many people die after meeting someone they really like, a singer, actor/actress etc etc. Heart conditions, over-excitement or whatever these things happen at concerts, movie theaters etc. I do not care for Obama as a leader, not do I care for Romney as a potential president. But it astounds me how Americans and politics here in America become like babies with propaganda, non-sense fables and stories. When leaders act like this I would not desire them to lead anything. This is not the Boy Scouts, leading this nation is some serious sh*t- grow up. Obama did not kill the cop, no one knows what just happened except an auto accident. It should be considered an oddity when one must stop going through an intersection when their light indicates green. Because in most circumstances, everyday, we go through green lights as a norm. It is more rare to have to stop or yield in normal traffic (free-flowing) at a green light.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

by Valid-Insight September 10, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
Blah, Blah, I'm off on a nutty tangent and Blah!
Just don't left Obama hug or touch you.
Everything he touches turns to cr*p or dies.
He's working on killing Medicare by sucking out its money to fund Obamacare.
The guy is like the Grim Reaper or like a vampire sucking the life out of America.

No you are talking about what Bush and the republicans have done to America.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

by YOURBRAIN-is-Toast September 10, 2012 4:42 PM EDT
Do all you Obama Zombies have comprehension disorders?
He was definately talking about Obama and his socialists being the kiss of death.
What part didn't tou understand?

Just like the noise dive the U.S. was put thru because of the republican rule. That is DEFIANTLY what he was talking about.
What part didn't YOU understand?

[beelaboola]

Motorcyles are just simply dangerous vehicles to ride on. There were 8,000 motorcyle rider deaths compared to 25,000 for cars, but that's a terrible ratio when you realize how few people actually ride motorcycles. You barely have any protection at all. A helmet, after a bad crash, will at least allow you to KNOW you've just become a paraplegic.

[kitkate80]

Motorcycles can be dangerous but so can cars, trucks, buses and SUVs for that matter. Other drivers that are operating motor vehicles do not respect motorcycle riders. Not all accidents result in death or a vegetable like state. The person driving the vehicle, if not driving properly is the one dangerous, not the vehicle itself.

[AOCGUY]

I dont ride but fact is motorcycles arent dangerous. Careless drivers both behind the wheel and riding bikes are dangerous.

[Scimajor]

Sigh, the hater party supporters, of course, blame this on Obama. What a surprise.

[Colt4542]

Why doesn't the campaign(s) pay for security? It should NOT be the responsibility of any local entity to cover the cost of a campaign visit, sitting President or contender. Then the local officers can do the job they were hired for - protecting the paying citizens - and remain relatively safe.