BSO Deputy Dies From Crash Injuries
POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami) – The Broward County Sheriff's deputy who was hospitalized after his motorcycle slammed into a car Wednesday afternoon died hours later.
Around 2:23 p.m., 47-year-old Christopher Schaub was riding his BSO motorcycle on patrol near the intersection of West McNab Road and North Andrews Avenue in Pompano Beach, BSO said.
As he reached the intersection, he slammed into a silver Mercedes-Benz. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz was not seriously hurt.
Schaub, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was airlifted to Broward Health Medical Center in critical condition.
The officer died from his injuries late Wednesday evening.
BSO deputies lined up outside the Medical Center Wednesday night for a solemn procession. Broward Sheriff's deputies escorted Schaub's body to a waiting vehicle.
Schaub's family spent an agonizing evening at the hospital praying Schaub would pull through. He did not.
Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti said Schaub fought valiantly to survive until he was pronounced dead just before 7 pm.
"His heart gave out 6 times and he was brought back to life," Lamberti said. "He kept struggling and struggling to the point where he couldn't struggle any more."
Lamberti said Schaub belonged to a fraternity of motorcycle officers -- a group who showed up in force outside the hospital, some from police agencies in Palm Beach County.
There were hugs, tears and reassuring pats on the back as doctors spent hours operating on Schaub trying to save him.
"Motorcycle deputies are like swat team operators," Lamberti said. "It's a band of brothers. They're very close knit."
Schaub's son, Tim, also works for BSO and also worked in the Pompano Beach district with his father.
Lamberti said it will be a difficult time for BSO as they lay a beloved friend to rest.
"We're all gonna get through it together," Lamberti said. "It's a sad day. It's a tough day. Especially for the family -- his son and his daughter. But we're all gonna get through it together."
The crash shut down traffic in all directions and both vehicles suffered heavy damage as a result of the accident. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that caused the crash.
Funeral arrangements for Schaub have yet to be announced.
