[laen]

Sad news. One of the riders in the Presidents motorcade passed away from his injuries. Sad day.


Policeman hurt during Bush Hawaii visit dies
Was thrown from his motorcycle; White House offers condolences
HONOLULU - A motorcycle officer injured last week while escorting President Bush in the islands died Sunday, police said.

Steve Favela, 30, and two other officers crashed their cycles as the presidential motorcade was traveling across Hickam Air Force Base to meet troops for breakfast early Tuesday. The other officers were treated at The Queen’s Medical Center and released.

Favela, an eight-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department and father of four, had suffered internal injuries and had been listed in critical condition at the medical center.
Light rain had been falling on the partly cloudy morning, and some roads on the base were slick.

Members of the White House medical team — including an ambulance — were cut loose from the motorcade to help. Local ambulance and fire units also responded.

The White House released a statement of condolence on Sunday evening.

“Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Officer Steve Favela of the Honolulu Police Department,” the statement read in part.

 

[Dep]

Sorry to hear a fellow officer had passed away.

Prayers for the family and his Law Enforcement family as well.

Dep

 

[DavidS]

I just saw it on CNN. Very sad.

My condolences go out to his family.

 

[TattooZ]

Not trying to be morbid here but what happened. Arn't Motorcades on a military base kind of slow moving like under 50 MPH? Was this a freak accident?

Anytime we have a loss of life especially for a LEO it's a sad day!



FF

 

[laen]

The road was wet from a light rain, and three bikes went down in front of W.

 

[Dep]

For 3 bikes to go down, it makes me think there was more on the road than just rain. Wasn't there, so I have no idea, but seems strange 3 experienced Motor officers would go down at the same spot.


Dep

 

[LVWolfman]

I think that the fastest speed limit I ever saw on a base was 25mph... usually it's 10-15.

However... it only takes a handlebar in the right spot to cause internal injuries that can kill you.

 

[Silver Fox]

Officer Steve Favela was also a Petty Officer First Class in the US Coast Guard Reserve. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

 

[TattooZ]

I just saw the film. It was just the results of the accident. My sympathies to this officers family what a tragedy!

 

[greyrider]

God bless Officer Steve Favela and his family in this tragic incident. Godspeed and heartfelt condolences to his agency brothers. When any agency loses an officer, all agencies feel it at some level. What a sad event.

 

[Landtuna]

Every time I see a procession of bikes leading the way
for some VIP I wonder, again, why?

What purpose do they serve aside from making a lot of
noise and light?

I mean, someone riding a bike cannot be expected to do
much of anything insofar as protecting the public
and/or the VIP should something happen. The radio and
siren are about the only other devices they can
operate while riding the bike. It's not like they can
actually provide a service beside visibility.

Aside from providing 'color' and feeding the inflated
ego's of the preznit and others, just what purpose do
they serve?

This, in no way, is aimed at the Coastguardsman who
lost his life. Just wondering why we put people at
risk for no good reason.

 

[joel3078]

Same reason scooters lead a funeral procession. They can blast ahead if need be and block/warn traffic. The goal is to keep the procession moving and never have it stop. Keep it moving is out of respect/tradition for the dead and gives the procession priority over other vehicles. Keep it moving for the prez is priority and mostly security.

Go on a organized motorcycle fundraising ride. You group more than likely will be escorted by motorcycles up front that block traffic to keep the procession moving.

 

[Landtuna]

Same reason scooters lead a funeral procession. They can blast ahead if need be and block/warn traffic. The goal is to keep the procession moving and never have it stop. Keep it moving is out of respect/tradition for the dead and gives the procession priority over other vehicles. Keep it moving for the prez is priority and mostly security.

Funerals travel at a very slow speed so having "road guards" to intercept cross-traffic works. Quite another thing for a relatively fast-moving VIP procession.

I've watched several of these in the Phoenix area over the past couple of years. The local police are always doing the cross-traffic blocking and not the bikes in the procession.

Still wondering.....

 

[Cliff Burke]

I was in law enforcement for twenty years and I believe bike officers have one of the most dangerous jobs. It looks like fun and they all love it but the injuries are usually serious.

 

[Terpen]

Just wondering why we put people at
risk for no good reason.

Yeah, why do they keep allowing motorcycles to be sold anyway. They are way too dangerous and totally unnecessary since we have automobiles available.

Sheesh!!!!