Community supports family as mother of 6 is killed in police pursuit; Man arrested facing Felony charges

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KOAM) — Early Saturday morning Osage Beach Police Ofc Phylicia Carson was killed in a traffic crash as part of a police pursuit that originated in her city.

Ofc Carson leaves behind her husband, Miller County Deputy K9 Grant Carson and six children, ranging in age from 3 to 16.

DONATE SECURELY TO SUPPORT THE CARSON FAMILY >> https://bit.ly/4cYdkO4 — VERIFIED FUNDRAISER

The man leading officers in the pursuit crashed down the road further from Ofc Carson. Christopher Wehmeyer , 23, was arrested and transported to the Camden County Jail. He faces charges of Felony Resisting Arrest by Fleeing, causing Death .

Just recently the new “Valentine’s Law” went into effect which creates the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop at a high speed which results in the death to another person an A Felony. All penalties are increased with the new legislation. Wehmeyer could face 10-30 years in prison.

The law is named after St. Louis County Det Antonio Valentine who was killed as a fleeing car struck his unmarked police vehicle in December of 2021. It raises fleeing from police from misdemeanor to felony.

This is a breaking news story we will continue to follow. Watch for updates here on KOAM News Now, Joplin News First.

‘COVER THE BLUE,’ NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN JOPLIN AREA

Whitney Wood of ‘ Cover the Blue ,’ a Joplin area non-profit, visited the temporary Memorial for Ofc Carson at the Osage Beach Police Dept over the weekend.

“ I made an early morning road trip to the Osage Beach PD to pay my respects and represent, Cover The Blue ,” Wood states. She shared video with Joplin News First from the Memorial as she was deeply moved.

Wood was inspired to begin Cover the Blue after two Joplin Police Officers were killed in March 2022.

Their mission: “ Covering Law Enforcement with support & prayer as they cover our communities. And to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement & our communities .”

Follow Cover the Blue on social media when you click here .

KOAM RELATED >> Osage Beach Police Officer killed in crash during police pursuit