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BRANDON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) - Colleagues and loved ones gathered on the night of Thanksgiving to remember Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy Eric Overall, who was killed earlier that day in the line of duty.
Overall was assisting in a police chase when he was struck by the suspect’s blue sedan. Overall was outside of his patrol car, preparing to deploy what are called "stop sticks" designed to deflate vehicles' tires. He was at an intersection in Brandon Township when he was struck by the fleeing suspect's vehicle around 12:30 a.m.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office says, after looking at the evidence, they believe the suspect deliberately ran Overall down even swerving to hit him.
Sources say the pursuit started in Lapeer County because of something the suspect said. Sources say the suspect walked into the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department and made threats.
Because of what he said, deputies there determined there was an imminent danger to the public and began pursuing the suspect.
The pursuit went westbound on I-96 and southbound on M-15, entering Oakland County.
After the suspect struck Overall, his vehicle rolled over and the driver was taken into custody at the scene.
Oakland County Sheriff Deputy killed in chase crash identified as 22-year veteran with the office
Overall had been with the department for 22 years. He leaves behind a wife to whom he was recently married, and an adult son.
More than 100 people gathered at the vigil Thanksgiving night to remember Overall. Everyone was left heartbroken on a day that was meant to be a warm reminder of the importance of family and friends.
“He was just, always even-keeled, the most compassionate, greatest, honest, most integrity-driven man you’ll know,” says Oakland County Deputy Michelle Miller.
“It’s the worst possible day for anyone, for an agency to lose someone in the line of duty. You’ve got a quality guy and a senseless tragedy,” says Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
Authorities haven’t released the name of the suspect yet. We’re told the 22-year-old is being held, though, at the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department and has four prior convictions for Possession of Marijuana and a prior conviction for Resisting and Obstructing Police.
If you’d like to make a donation to Overall’s family, you can do so via this GoFundMe account here.