ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A St. Louis County Police detective was killed when a suspect fleeing crashed into the officer's vehicle Wednesday afternoon. The suspect was also killed in the crash.
Detective Antonio Valentine was killed in the crash near Chambers Road and Crete Drive in North St. Louis County around 2:10 p.m. Another officer in the unmarked van also sustained minors injuries.
Police say other officers on the scene attempted life-saving efforts on Valentine before he was transported to an area hospital where he died. The suspect driving a Volkswagen Jetta was fleeing from Drug Unit Detectives who were conducting an investigation.
Police say the Jetta was traveling at a high rate of speed. After the crash, the mangled car was on one side of the road while its engine was on the other side.
Valentine, 42, was with the St. Louis County Police Department since 2007 and was most recently assigned to the Bureau of Drug Enforcement. He was also an Army combat military veteran of Iraq and recently retired from the Air Force Reserve.
“Obviously, it’s a very sad day for this department to lose an officer,” acting St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory said. “All I ask of you now is to just grieve with us. Support us. Support the family for all they're going through and we’ll get through this the best we can.”
BackStoppers Inc. announced it will be assisting Valentine's family, also noting that he had children.
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