W. Va. Sheriff's Sgt. Killed In Chase, Crash Mourned
PERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- The law enforcement community in Pennsylvania and West Virginia is in mourning today following the death of sheriff's sergeant overnight in Greene County.
Authorities say Monongalia County Sheriff's Sgt. Michael May died after his patrol car was rammed during a police pursuit and crash on Interstate 79 just inside the Pennsylvania line.
Jerod Green, 35, of Morgantown, is facing charges of criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer, homicide while driving under the influence and other offenses.
Green is accused in connection with the early Saturday morning accident that claimed the life of Sgt. May.
KDKA's Bob Allen reports:
According to authorities, sheriff's deputies and police were trying to stop Green who was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident in Granville, W. Va.
"Mr. Green appeared to be intoxicated and subsequently fled from that traffic stop," said Cpl. Steven Dowlin, of the Pennsylvania State Police. "During the subsequent pursuit, Green traveled into the state of Pennsylvania along State Route 19 into Mount Morris."
State police say the crash happened after Green drove his pickup from Route 19 into the southbound lanes of I-79 in Perry Township.
Investigators say they believe Sgt. May was in pursuit with his lights were flashing when Green allegedly drove his pickup into the sergeant's vehicle.
Sgt. May was pronounced dead at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
Meanwhile, the flag was flying half-staff at the Monongalia County Courthouse in Morgantown.
"We're going to take a long time to heal from this because as I say, we go back quite a few years and it's just difficult right now," said Sheriff Al Kisner, of the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department.
Sgt. May Remembered At Local Event:
Sheriff Kisner says May was a respected professional and a friend.
"You know, you always hear about good personality people and stuff, and that's exactly what he was," said Sheriff Kisner. "Everybody got along with him; everybody was his friend, even people that he supervised."
Sgt. May, 41, was a 10-year veteran with the Sheriff's Department. He is survived by his mother, father and brother.
RELATED LINKS:
W. Va. Sergeant Killed In Line Of Duty (2/18/12)
More News from Greene County
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