911 dispatcher dies in crash with driver fleeing police
A 911 dispatcher was killed just after midnight Monday when a driver fleeing police crashed into her car, Milwaukee police said.
The woman, Deborah Harris, was 62. She’d spent more than 32 years working as an emergency communications operator for the Milwaukee Police Department, Chief Alfonso Morales said at a news conference Monday.
Harris is the second member of MPD to die from reckless driving in the last 12 months. Officer Kou Her died in June when a repeat drunken driver ran a red light and hit Her’s car.
The suspect in Monday’s crash also ran a red light, Morales said. Officers tried to pull over the driver about 12:30 a.m. at North 51st Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue for the traffic offense, but he sped off.
One minute later, officers lost sight of the vehicle, Morales said. Soon after, they encountered a crash at North 51st and West Vienna streets. The motorist had crashed into Harris, who was traveling on 51st.
Police arrested the passenger of the fleeing vehicle but had not yet arrested the driver Monday afternoon. Police asked anyone with information about the crash to call MPD at (414) 935-7360 or Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.
Harris is survived by her husband, two children and two grandchildren, Morales said.
“Mrs. Deborah Harris worked for seven different police chiefs,” he said. “She was well-known in our communications center . ... Very dedicated to the service and she will be greatly missed.”
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett extended his prayers and condolences to the Harris family.
“This is a tragedy for her family, it’s a tragedy for the Milwaukee Police Department family, and it’s a tragedy for the city at a very, very difficult time,” Barrett said.