CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Cleveland police officer killed Sunday night in a single-car crash was on his way to help another officer pursue a stolen vehicle, authorities said at a news conference this morning.
Department personnel are mourning the death of Officer Justin Maples, who was responding to help a Bradley County officer chasing a Jeep when the 9:30 p.m. accident occurred at the 1600 block of South Lee Highway, Chief Wes Snyder said.
The accident is being investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
"He was responding to a call to assist a county unit in the pursuit where a stolen Jeep was being pursued," Snyder said. "As he was enroute to that location, he lost control of his vehicle. It skidded off the roadway and struck a utility pole."
Maples, 35, is survived by his wife Danielle and three young sons.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.