Behind the Badge
The San Jose Police Department is mourning the loss of a motor officer killed in a an on-duty traffic crash Tuesday evening.
Officer Michael Katherman at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, was riding his police motorcycle northbound on N. 10th Street, while a man driving a silver minivan was traveling the same direction on the same street, police said.
The driver of the minivan attempted to make a left-hand turn onto an eastbound street when he collided with Katherman.
A passerby stopped to help and used the police radio to call for help. Katherman was taken to a local hospital where he died, police said.
“Today we lost a brother officer,” department officials posted on their Twitter page Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michael’s family and friends. Rest in peace Officer Katherman.”
Police said the driver of the minivan is cooperating with the investigation.
Katherman, a father of two, served with SJPD for 11 years. He is the 13th officer killed in the line of duty in the department’s history.
