Police Officer James Samra

[rdp]

The Officer Down Memorial Page remembers...

Police Officer James Samra
Clifton Police Department, NJ
End of Watch: Friday, November 21, 2003



Biographical Info
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 15 yrs
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Friday, November 21, 2003
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Charged with vehicular homicide

Officer Samra was killed when his motorcycle was intentionally struck by the driver of a mini-van attempting to elude him.
Officer Samra was on patrol when he stopped the suspect's vehicle at approximately 1000 hours. The driver of the vehicle, who had recently been released from prison on parole, fled in the vehicle. Officer Samra got back on his motorcycle and pursued the suspect. Officer Samra went to the corner of Maple Place and Washington Avenue in an attempt to cut off the suspect, but the suspect intentionally rammed the officer's motorcycle with his van, which was traveling approximately 50 MPH.

The suspect then fled on foot, but was apprehended by two civilians who witnesses the incident. He was then taken into custody by responding officers and charged with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, aggravated assault, eluding police, and causing a fatal accident. His driver's license was later determined to have been revoked.

Officer Samra was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey where he died from his injuries.

Officer Samra had served with the Clifton Police Department for 15 years, and had previously served with the United States Air Force.

Officer Samra is the first Clifton Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty since the agency was created in 1920.

Agency Contact Information
Clifton Police Department
900 Clifton Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: (973) 470-5900

Please contact the agency for funeral information
or to send condolences.

[darrell]

I saw the video of the aftermath on www.officer.com Sad to say he never had a chance to avoid the impact nor survive the wreck. It was just sad to look at it, the witnesses were crying when they were talkign about it. RIP OFC. SAMRA

[locokarma]

my condolences to the family, friends and department