Qld police officer killed in truck escort

[sosteve]

Prayers to his family friends and work mates. R.I.P. Sergeant Dan Stiller .

Qld police officer killed in truck escort
December 1, 2010, 6:47 pm


A Queensland traffic cop has been killed while escorting a wide load in central Queensland.

Sergeant Dan Stiller, 33, of the Oxley District Traffic Branch, was killed when his police service motorcycle and a truck collided on the Bruce Highway, just south of Mount Larcom, west of Gladstone, at about 7am (AEST) on Wednesday.

He had been escorting a wide load with another officer who was travelling in a police car.

"It appears that a truck travelling in the opposite direction jack-knifed in wet weather, impacting with Sgt Stiller's motorcycle," Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett told reporters.

"However, it is important to let the investigation run its course to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident."

He said there was no suggestion anyone was speeding but wet weather may have been a contributing factor.

Mr Barnett said the loss was being felt throughout the organisation, particularly among those fortunate enough to have worked with Sgt Stiller.

The officer's wife was "naturally devastated", he said.

Mr Barnett said Sgt Stiller was highly regarded and universally described as an outstanding and professional officer.

"I think you could judge from the fact that he was promoted to sergeant with less than six years' service in the Queensland Police Service that he was an excellent officer," he said.

"That's quite an outstanding achievement."

Premier Anna Bligh also paid her respects on hearing of the death.

"It's been more than three years since a Queensland police officer has lost their life in the course of their duties," she said.

"This is a very sad reminder that every officer out there on the front line is putting themselves at risk to keep us all safe, and for that we are all very grateful."

The incident is being investigated by the Forensic Crash Unit and overviewed by the Ethical Standards Command.

Sgt Stiller was sworn in as a Queensland police officer on January 30, 2002. He previously served with the NSW police.

[Aussie George]

Too sad. His wife is in the job and is pregnant with their first child.

RIP SGT Stiller.