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Spring Hill Police Officer Dies after Friday Crash - Erika Kurre
A tragic turn of events for a Spring Hill police officer.
Corporal Jeremy McLaren has died after surgery on injuries from a Friday night accident in his cruiser.
His death today was sudden and unexpected-- something Police Chief John Smith calls devastating to the department.
"It has just been a tremendous shock to the family, to his brother and sister, law enforcement officers."
It's hard for Chief Smith to talk about the death of one of his young officers.
McLaren was on the mend at Vanderbilt Medical Center after surgery on his leg.
"For what's being talked about is it's more than likely of a blood clot-- just no one could have anticipated."
McLaren was taken to the hospital following a wreck Friday evening on Highway 31 in Columbia at East Burt Drive.
According to a preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, McLaren's cruiser was hit by a red Ford Ranger when the driver, Billy Stafford, ran a red light.
Chief Smith says, "This is just hard. If nothing else, out of everything bad there's always something good and we're going to try to make the best of this situation."
But for now, the department mourns the first officer in its history, killed in the line of duty.
"Jeremy was just so important, such a lively figure, such a leader within the department. He's going to be truly missed."
Chief Smith says officer McLaren was 28 years old and had been with the department almost three years.
He leaves behind a wife, his mother and father.
At this point, no charges or citations have been issued to the driver of the truck.
The case is under investigation by THP.Spring Hill Police Officer Dies after Friday Crash - Erika Kurre
Posted: Sunday, February 7 2010, 08:05 PM CST
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