Apr 14, 2007 6:39 pm US/Central
Weather Blamed For Death Of Irving PD Officer
by Robbie Owens
IRVING (CBS 11 News) ―
The severe weather that crossed over North Texas Friday is being blamed for the death of an Irving police officer. Officer Andrew Esparza died in a crash on Highway 183 Friday night.
With flags at half staff and with very heavy hearts the Irving Police Department mourns the loss of the promising 26-year-old officer.
"It's hard," said Irving Police Chief Larry Boyd, who fought for composure as he talked about the caring, compassionate, officer who had made such an impact in two short years.
"He was a great cop, but more than that he was a great son, a great brother, and a true Christian," Boyd said.
Shortly before 9 p.m. Friday evening, Esparza was headed to an accident call when he apparently lost control of his squad car on the rain slicked roadway. Esparza slammed into a concrete light pole near O'Conner and Highway 183 and later died at a local hospital.
Grieving family members include an older brother, who is also an Irving police officer.
During a news conference Saturday, Irving Police Department Spokesman Officer David Tull said, "This is a very hard time for us at the police department. We hope you will keep us in your thoughts and prayers."
Although investigators have painted a preliminary picture of what they believe happened, police officials say the inquiry into the crash is ongoing, and are in fact asking for the public's help.
Irving police are asking anyone who was in the area near Highway 183 and O'Conner on Friday night to contact them. "A lot of times drivers don't realize what they just saw," Tull said.
Funeral arrangements for Officer Esparza are pending.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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