Salem patrolman reprimanded for accident
By DEANNE JOHNSON/Staff WriterSALEM - Patrolman Steve LaRosa, whose parked Salem police cruiser was struck by a Norfolk Southern train last weekend, will receive an internal written reprimand for his actions.
Police Chief Robert Floor said Friday after receiving the report from the State Highway Patrol and learning LaRosa would not be cited in the incident, Floor believed the internal discipline was appropriate and the matter is concluded.
The report at the highway patrol Lisbon office said the investigating trooper consulted on Wednesday with the county prosecutor's office and it was determined that no charges would be filed.
According to the patrol report and a written statement included in the report by LaRosa, the patrolman had parked the patrol car between the east and westbound tracks in the early morning hours Sunday. He had been asked by Perry Township police to assist blocking a man on a four-wheeler that was stuck on the tracks, but still heading eastbound toward South Lincoln Avenue.
LaRosa got out of the patrol car and ran toward the Perry Township officer trying to stop the four-wheeler. Due to the differing frequencies in hand-held radios between the two departments, LaRosa was not aware the man had already been apprehended. Sgt. Chris Gallo told LaRosa to have train traffic shut off, but a few minutes later a westbound train struck the cruiser.
LaRosa, who has been with the department more than a year, was recently taken off his probationary period new hires go through.
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jdavis281
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11-09-09 10:15 AM
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With the cruiser being struck by a train that apparently did not have enough time to e-stop at the request of the PD, this could have been far far worse had the train hit the four wheeler and killed the suspect. A car is replaceable or repairable. It was with good intentions on LaRosa's part to block the quad that was stuck between the rails and the last he knew, heading his way. Things happen, no one got hurt, the car gets fixed life goes on! Buckeye1 what would you have done had you been in LaRosa's shoes in the situation? Train traffic was to be stopped, quad stuck between the rails and heading in your direction. His choice seems logical!
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Jacko69
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11-08-09 4:47 PM
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tsunami, I don't know what rock you are living under but your statement about the EL officer is an out right lie. That EL officer resigned from ELPD about 5 years ago. He was tried in Hancock County court and found guilty. Quit trying to stir up stuff that you have no idea about. Your opinion of the police tells me that you are a criminal and only have computer muscles (hiding behind your computer, stirring up trouble because you are a coward). Do me a favor and get a job so you won'y have enough time to play on the internet spreading lies.
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tsunami
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11-08-09 12:38 PM
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(continued).... an unnamed officer in Wellsville was being paid taxpayer $ for 12 years (in addition to his police salary) to "keep an eye" on the county owned housing complex he lives at to this day. But instead of being out patroling the complex he sat in his house watching tv, sleeping, having numerous girls (some I'm sure underage) "ride around in his car" with him, etc...
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tsunami
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11-08-09 12:35 PM
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As much as I don't like cops (since alot of them around here are crooked AND go around chasing after underage girls) and love to take any opportunity to bash them, I agree with aal806 & helloall's comments. The officer had a split second decision to make, jumped out of the cruiser, and tried to go after someone to assist another officer. Now I could see if he drove up, knew the train was coming, and parked the squad car across the train tracks to block the train or some other idiotic thing like that, but from the pictures in the paper the other day it looks like the train might have nicked the rear quarter panel a little bit. It's not as if the squad car was a total loss or something... What you people ought to be more ****** about is how an unnamed officer in EL is still on the force after being caught at Hilltop Drive In (ACROSS STATE LINES) with two underage girls (what do you think happened there? hand holding? no) a few years ago, or the fact that.....
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helloall
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11-08-09 7:13 AM
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A police officer had a split second decision to make to back up another officer calling for assistance. No matter what if a police officer does anything they're wrong til they catch the person breaking into your house your car or the drunk that hits your parked car and leaves the scene. Then they're good guys. Right Buckeye1?
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aal806
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11-08-09 5:56 AM
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It's great that our police officers get a split second to make a decision, and the public will take four months picking it apart. Yes Steve should not have parked on the tracks. The fact is he was making sure the Perry officer was not in trouble. ITS JUST A CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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WatchDog
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11-08-09 2:28 AM
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All he got was a "pacification" public relations "forced" reprimand. Will not be a first nor a last one. That officer will see many of those throughout his career and the monday night quarterbacking from the ungrateful public will always be there. Right or wrong in any split second decision that is made to save a life. LaRosa put your chin in the air. Shrug it off and go forward.
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Buckeye1
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11-08-09 2:07 AM
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What a joke. The idiot deserves more-but he must know somebody!
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