Amarillo Police officer dies from car crash injuries

[64zebra]

Today we are mournng the loss of one of our officers, Mark Simmons. He was married and had 2 beautiful daughters. Just last week we had taken up collections from people in the department to purchase Christmas gifts from the officers to give to the kids.


Amarillo.com | Local News: APD officer dies from injuries suffered in 2005 wreck 12/17/08

APD officer dies from injuries suffered in 2005 wreck

An Amarillo police officer has died from injuries he sustained in an on-duty car crash three years ago.
Officer Mark Simmons died at his home in Quanah today. His death is the first to occur in the line of duty for the Amarillo Police Department in 23 years.

Simmons suffered life-threatening injuries when a pickup rear-ended the unmarked police car he and another officer were in on March 24, 2005.

Simmons, 29, joined the force Oct. 18, 2001, after nearly a year as a corrections officer at the Randall County jail. He retired from the APD on May 30, 2006, because of his injuries and was presented with the Star of Texas by Gov. Rick Perry. The award is given to officers who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty.

Flags in Amarillo are ordered to fly at half staff and all sworn personnel in the city are to wear black strips across their badges.

Funeral services are pending.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ccman]

Sorry to hear. RIP.

[Paco]

Suffered for 3 years, wow. RIP to an officer and protector of the public. God be with his family!

[retsupt99]

Must have had some very serious injuries...I feel badly for his family.
May he R.I.P.

[Rexster]

This is sad to see. I remember when he was injured. Rest in peace, brother.

[archer51]

May he R.I.P. and his family find the strength to see them through.

[64zebra]

Must have had some very serious injuries...I feel badly for his family.
May he R.I.P.

yes, back of car was smashed like an acordian, back bumper was pretty much in the rear seat and rear seat smashed into the front seat
he never regained consciousness after the wreck, was in hospital in Lubbock until this summer when they moved him Quanah

[skycop]

RIP Brother.

[Rexster]

My sergeant's unoccupied Crown Vic was hit last night, while we were diverting traffic on I-10 around a jack-knifed semi rig. This is a dangerous business.