Updated at 1:30 pm, with dead officer's identity and correcting his gender.
by Frank James and Rick Pearson
A motorcycle officer was fatally injured as he escorted Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign motorcade through Dallas this morning.
The officer identified by police as Victor Lozada-Tirado, who held the rank of senior corporal, was in his 20th year on the police force. Police said he was married and had four children.
Clinton, seeking the Democratic nomination against Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, continued with her campaign event in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, but curtailed a following rally scheduled for Fort Worth.
Pearson, who is traveling with the Clinton campaign, sent me several e-mails in the minutes following the accident. Here's a compilation:
On bus, motorcade motorcycle cop went down Lost helmet. Other motorcade cop comforting the one went down. This is in dallas. Still enroute to event... Just left dealey plaza when it happened... Debris was strewn thruout road, fiberglass from front cycle fender. Pool of blood was very visible by officer. Officer was 30 50 feet in front of bike, on ground, head being comforted by another officer as motorcade was waved by... Hearing its a fatal.
Dealey Plaza, of course, was the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
Once the motorcade reached its destination, Clinton cancelled a scheduled question and answer session with reporters, and, in a very measured tone, delivered the following statement:
I have just learned of the death of a Dallas police officer in a devastating accident that occurred as the motorcycle officers were leading our cars to this site. We are just heartsick over this loss of life in the line of duty and I have asked that my condolences be relayed to the family. I am going to call them as soon as its appropriate and I have the information to do so. I have placed a call to the chief of police expressing my sympathy. This reminds us once again what our men and women in law enforcement do every single day and it is important that we respect and appreciate their service. I certainly am grateful for all they do for me and, more importantly, what they do for the citizens of cities like Dallas and others across our country. But I just wanted to express my deepest condolences to the family and to the Dallas police department on this tragic, tragic loss.
Later, Clinton cut short a campaign event in Ft. Worth, Tex.
Here is what she told the audience in Ft. Worth:
" And it is for me a very personal moment because I have bneen fortunate over a number of years now to be served not only by the Secret Service, who do an extraordinary job, but they work with police and other law enf officials everywhere we go in the country. So it is deeply, deeply tragic that this loss occurred and I know that our thoughts and our prayers are with his family, with those with whom he served on a daily basis to protect the people of dallas. Because of this tragedy, I know you understand that we can’t have a rally. It would not be appropriate for me to um, take this opportunity as I had planned, to be with you to talk about the election. I think it is self evident how much I appreciate your coming, how grateful I am to you, how important it is that every single day we not only think about those who serve us, and all the ways we are served, but that we express that appreciation to those who take care of making our communities safe, caring for the sick, teaching our children, doing the public service that is really at the core of who we are as Americans and what we want for our future. So thank you very much for being here and God bless you all.
Pearson had this additional information in one of his later e-mails:
Motorcade was from Love Field airport in Dallas enroute to event site at the corner of Center and Zang Streets. Incident occurred shortly after the vehicles had left Dealey Plaza. The motorcycle was lying in the left hand lane with visible skid marks. The officer was lying in the right hand lane, face down, about 50 feet ahead of the bike. No EMTs or emergency personnel had arrived by the time we went through. Event now finished in Dallas and a police led motorcade now taking campaign to event in Fort Worth.
Later in the day, as Clinton sought to restart her campaigning for the day at an event in Columbus, Ohio, Clinton wove the tragedy into a discussion on ways to revitalize the nation’s economy. She noted that the officer left behind four children, two in college, a high schooler and a 9-year-old.
"I thought about the help that that family will need and the hope that they will have educational and other opportunities that we want for all of our young people,” Clinton told an audience at Columbus State Community College.
“They’ll bear the extra burden for the loss of their father and husband. But certainly, we hope for every young person in American today the opportunity to live up to his or her God given potential,” she said.
Clinton said she visited the officer’s widow at the hospital “to thank her for her husband’s service and certainly to express my deep condolences about her loss and the loss to her family.”
Journalists who have covered presidential campaigns or traveled with presidents are accustomed to seeing motorcycle police flying at tremendous speed down the highway ahead of the motorcade in order to close off ramps from entering traffic so that the "bubble" the candidates or presidents travel in can precede without interference from hotel to event to airport.
But today's accident is another reminder of how everyday, every minute really, police and Secret Service agents endanger themselves to protect our presidents and would-be commanders-in-chief from harm.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the dead police officer, his family and colleagues.
The officer's death is lamentably all too familiar. Just last August, a motorcycle officer escorting President Bush's motorcade in New Mexico was killed during an accident.
And in November 2006, another officer who had an accident while escorting Bush's motorcade in Hawaii died from injuries. Here's Mark Silva's excellent post on those tragic events.
(AP Photo/The Morning News, Irwin Thompson)
• 
• 
• 
Comments
I hope this public servant's injuries aren't fatal and she or he has a speedy recovery.
Posted by: Jeff | February 22, 2008 11:30 AM
Jeff, the heeadline says fatally injured, meaning he did die, unfortunately.
Not to bring up something when a tragedy like this occurs, but last year a cop was killed in a Bush motorcade. And, I believe it was Mark Silva who did the write-up. In that write-up the reporter basicallly implied that it was Bush's fault. If there was no Bush motorcade, the officer would not have perished.
Funny, don't see that same take here.
Posted by: John D | February 22, 2008 12:34 PM
While understanding the obvious needs of security escorts for our President and congressmen, can you please SLOW DOWN!!!
I don't know how fast they were going but that has to have been the overriding factor. Experienced motorcycle officers don't simply crash.
This is happening much too frequently. Fromm CNN.com "There have been two fatal accidents involving motorcycle officers escorting President Bush’s motorcade over the past 18 months.
On August 28, an officer from Rio Rancho, New Mexico died when his motorcycle crashed as the motorcade approached the airport in Albuquerque. The officer, Germaine Casey, was 40. He was the lead motorcycle in the motorcade when the crash occurred.
On November 23, 2006, a Honolulu Police motorcycle officer crashed on wet roads during the President’s motorcade in Hawaii…he died of his injuries a week later. Two other officers injured in the crash were released from the hospital. Steve Favella was 30."
Clear the highway, run your red lights, but, once again, please SLOW DOWN!!
Posted by: Not So Fast | February 22, 2008 12:41 PM
Couldn't even wait until the body was cold before you tried to make this into a partisan issue, could you John D? You are repulsive and dispicable.
Posted by: james patterson | February 22, 2008 1:17 PM
You wonder, though, sometimes, about the necessity for motorcades everywhere these people go.
Just jump in the car, and go. If it's a stretch limo, no one would know who was inside.
The use of motorcycles invites accidents. Riding a motorcycle is several times as dangerous as driving a car. and if there's an accident, it's just the rider's soft body and the road or whatever obstacle he hits.
Posted by: DaveB | February 22, 2008 2:07 PM
What a shame. As a 20-year veteran of the force, I think it's safe to say the officer died doing something he loved and believed in. Escorting a motorcade was probably the thrill of his career. He gave his wife and kids something to be proud of, which I think is an example to which we can all aspire.
Posted by: Jon Leleu | February 22, 2008 2:19 PM
Hey James, John D is not trying to attack me. We agree on most political ideology. He's right, I was just hoping that the initial reports were wrong. Too bad for this poor policeman.
Posted by: Jeff | February 22, 2008 2:38 PM
Jeff, perhaps James is attacking me because I brought up the fact that last year when a similar instance occurred in a Bush motorcade, the Joke-une implied it was Bush's fault. He is troubled by the fact that I am bringing up the truth, a usual refrain for those on the Left.
And James, I am not being partisan. As I stated, this is a very unfortunate tragedy. I'm just wondering why in one instance it was Bush's fault (even thought it wasn't) and in this instance it is not Hillary's fault (even though it isn't her fault either).
Posted by: John D | February 22, 2008 2:57 PM
John D. - while the death of the police man may not have been Bush's fault. The death of 100,000 Iraqi civilians and over 3,000 American soldiers are his fault.
Posted by: BCD | February 22, 2008 4:00 PM
BCD, what the heck does this tragic accident have to do with Iraq? Or the Police Officer that died today, both the one involving Clinton's and Bush's motorcade were tragic accidents and have nothing to do with Iraqi civilians or soldiers being killed, way to go turning this into a political issue, knob. RIP the officer and condolences to his family.
Posted by: Mikebl | February 22, 2008 4:08 PM
I've heard motorcycle cops bragging about how fast they were able to get the motorcade to go. So while the service may say -- reasonable rate of speed -- the fact is that the local depts view it as a badge of honor (and a thrill) to move the motorcades at ridiculous speeds. I was a volunteer van driver in a motorcade from midway to downtown many years ago. The vans were driving 90, which means that the motorcycle cops had to be going 120 or more to pass us and block the next entrance ramp. I can understand the thrill, but I hope that Jody Weis sees this story and tells our guys to ease up a bit. -- particularly since it looks like Obama will have secret service for at least the rest of the year when he travels home.
Posted by: SWU | February 22, 2008 4:10 PM
Ross Perot never used motorcades - he would arrive in a Chevy BelAir, shake everyones hand and talk to you like you were his friend. Oh for times past.
Posted by: Tim | February 22, 2008 4:19 PM
Partisan or not, I am deeply saddened by the death of this police officer.
Posted by: JJH | February 22, 2008 5:04 PM
dealey plaza again. this place is jinxed. first jfk, then this. i wonder if it was supposed to have been another president or president hopeful. not a good sign. hmmmm...i smell conspiracy here.
Posted by: oswald | February 22, 2008 5:44 PM
Now that's just sad. I'm sorry but NOBODY'S political aspirations should be THAT important. This election campaign stuff has gotten WAAAY out of hand! I'm sorry that Hilly's gettin' her big butt kicked by Ol'Bama but that's no excuse for this kind of crap. She seriously needs To BACK OFF a little.
Posted by: Jim Griffin | February 22, 2008 7:20 PM
Everybody, a police officer has lost his life in the line of duty. He was also a husband and father. Can we set aside the politics, the attempts at humor, the cop gossip? Let's be respectful, please...
Posted by: strut2k | February 22, 2008 7:28 PM
I guess Hillary has it right. She is almost ready to step into the White House on day one. Her death count is only 1/2 of King George's!
Bush passed an act called the Home Town Heros Act. This act was to help families of fallen firefighters, EMS, police. So far the program has failed misserably to help any family who has lived the tradgedy of the breadwinner, parent, brother, son... dying. Most end up moving in with family after the house, cars, income all go away.
My brother is in the Firefieghters Hall of Fame. His wife and kids claims for benefits were denied. His wife had to sell the house, move, and watch a family fall apart in the process.
Just like my brother. Officer Victor Lozada-Tirado died doing what he enjoyed. Both passing are sad. I hope his family will at least be treated with the respect that his sacrifice is due. Let the Bush Administration block his wives aplication.
Posted by: mdf | February 22, 2008 7:30 PM
did Hillary CRY>? OF course not. she is a fraud
Posted by: Art Mienke | February 22, 2008 7:40 PM
Typical motorcades are intentionally fast-paced for security reasons. It makes the motorcade itself a tougher target to hit. In addition, it allows the security detail to quickly identify possible threats, such as unauthorized vehicles trying to manuever in the same quick manner.
RIP and God Bless the fallen officer and his family.
Posted by: Garcia | February 22, 2008 8:24 PM
What is wrong with some of you???? This is about a person who has died and the family he's left behind. Cant you just respect the tragedy here and offer condolences?
To the officer's family: My heartfelt sympathy to you upon the passing of your husband, father and son.
Posted by: G | February 22, 2008 8:59 PM
I just read Silva's article but the way I read it he does not put the blame on Bush. It is silly to politicize this. The officer died in the line of duty and he should and will be honored as a Hero. There are legitimate safety reasons for driving reasonably fast in a motorcade and this is a lesson we learned the hard way.
Ironically and sadly enough it was learned in the same place where this brave officer died. the JFK motorcade in Dallas slowed to below 10mph and we all remember the tragic consequences. See also Princess Diana. Additionally in the era of neo-terrorism- motorcades should be executed and should be done at reasonably fast speeds. Sen. Clinton is a high-profile public figure and former first lady. She deserves first class protection. If something would have happened to her without an escort, some would question why a motorcade was not given.
I think we should all take a step back here and simply honor the brave service of the fallen officer, who likely died doing what he loved. Lets give the politics and armchair quarterbacking a break. God Bless Officer Victor Lozada-Tirado. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice.
Posted by: Brian | February 22, 2008 9:24 PM
Hey Mdf....why don't you provide us with more information so we can look into this matter. To be honest with you.. I don't believe your story!!! I think your a liar. Just another left-wing liberal blogger who will say anything to make GWB look bad. You Lib's have lied so much ....nobody believes anything you say any more!!!!
Posted by: Joe | February 22, 2008 9:30 PM
Brian, I may stand corrected here, with may being the operative word. I looked back at Silva's article on the Bush motorcade and noted that Terry believed Silva's reporting may have suggested it was Bush's fault. My reply was this: "Terry, your impression of the article does have merit. I'd like to think that Mark is not doing that, but there is a tone to it. Phrases such as traveling at breakneck speeds, traveling at speeds that does not imperil the president and some others. I hope that is not the case."
I still believe the phrasing in too many instances was loaded. Certainly those words are not used here in the item of the cop dying in Clinton's motorcade.
Posted by: John D | February 23, 2008 12:49 AM
Hey Joe, How do you sit down with that big head of yours? Read this story and tell me this man's dedication is worth nothing.
http://www.10tv.com/?story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200703/634144507.html
This isn't my brother, it just illustrates the problem! Just shows to the public how much this administration cares for the ones that die over here for your safety.
Anything left to say? Joe.
Posted by: mdf | February 23, 2008 1:08 AM
What's a woman politician doing in the saddle of a prior politician's disaster? I feel for the officer's family. Our country has disgraced themselves on their own. Hillary, bow out!!!!
Posted by: Rosan | February 23, 2008 7:38 AM
This police officer's death goes to illustrate how many lives these politicians put to risk with this incredible two-year-long campaign. It's one thing to waste hundreds of millions of dollars. It's another to jeopardize the very lives of police officers and civilians with all of the security work and danger involved in moving these people from one place to another. Get a new system!
Posted by: Manfred | February 23, 2008 10:26 AM
Hey mdf....If your brother "is" in the Firefighters Hall of Fame....don't you think the "Brotherhood" of Union Firefighters should be taking care of his family??? After all, where did all his union dues go? Oh that's right...they spend all of their union dues, (which is already tax payers money since we pay their salaries)electing corrupt Democrats to office. Go cry on the shoulder of your "union" family!!!!
Posted by: Joe | February 23, 2008 10:44 AM