SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Tragedy struck Friday as an Elk Grove police officer was killed in a head-on crash by a wrong-way driver suspected of a DUI.
Tributes from law enforcement poured in all day Friday for Officer Tyler “Ty” Lenehan, who was a six-year force veteran.
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Elk Grove Police Chief Timothy Albright said Friday afternoon that Lenehan is a husband and father of two children. He was reportedly driving to work on his department’s motorcycle while in uniform when he was hit on Highway 99 in South Sacramento.
The driver of the vehicle involved — Jermaine J. Walton, 31, of Sacramento — was reportedly arrested as he “drove away from the [crash] scene,” police said. Walton was subsequently incarcerated in Sacramento County Main Jail for felony murder, causing an accident resulting in injury, driving the wrong way on the freeway, and driving under the influence and causing injury.
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Lenehan’s death has hit the local law enforcement community hard. Chief Albright said it was the first death of an officer in the line of duty.
See the social media posts honoring Lenehan below from agencies in the area:
The Elk Grove Police Department mourns the loss of automotive veteran, Ty Lenehan. For the full press release:https://t.co/Mhmkw95B4a pic.twitter.com/UDS45Dscyo
— EGPD (@ElkGrovePD) January 21, 2022
Our hearts are with @ElkGrovePD and Officer Lenehan’s family. https://t.co/692ikGyooH
— Sacramento Police (@SacPolice) January 22, 2022
Our condolences for this tragic loss. https://t.co/bzISrXh0kH
— Sacramento Fire Department (@SacFirePIO) January 22, 2022
Sending our prayers to @ElkGrovePD and the family of Motor Officer Ty Lenehan. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. https://t.co/rbuaEKxMsQ
— Stockton Police Department (@StocktonPolice) January 22, 2022
Our condolences go to @ElkGrovePD and the family of Officer Ty Lenehan. 🙏🏼🕯 #EOW #law enforcement pic.twitter.com/lzMJ8UY0zf
– Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) January 22, 2022
Our #FBI The Sacramento family sends its sincere condolences to Ty Lenehan’s family, friends and co-workers. We mourn and support our law enforcement partners in @ElkGrovePD during this difficult time.https://t.co/XtGjbjHVFP
— FBI Sacramento (@FBISacramento) January 22, 2022
Our deepest condolences go out to our brothers and sisters in @ElkGrovePD and family and friends of veteran Motor Officer Ty Lenehan. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Officer Lenehan. #Never forget pic.twitter.com/4hDjq92XtN
— Rancho Cordova PD (@RanchoCordovaPD) January 22, 2022
We mourn with the Elk Grove Police Department during their time of loss.
Today the Elk Grove Police Department lost veteran auto officer, Ty Lenehan. For the full press release: https://t.co/PMv7Vd5EZA
See the post from CHP – South Sacramento https://t.co/ID3rTV7Mob pic.twitter.com/V2wICSa79G— CHP Placerville (@CHPPlacerville) January 22, 2022
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