Osage Beach community mourns loss of police officer at vigil

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Tonight was filled with emotion and some moments — brought together by the love of a community by supporting one of their own — after the death of Officer Phylicia Carson.

“Everybody knew her because of her personality and the way she was to others and how she treated others,” said Osage Beach Police Lieutenant Michael O’Day. “And she treated others with respect and treated everyone like they’re like we are.”

Officer Carson died on Saturday, August 31, when her car crashed into a tree during a high-speed chase.

23-year-old Christopher Wehmeyer has been charged with resisting arrest — creating a substantial risk of death in connection to her death by fleeing from police in that chase and is being held without bond.

For Lt. O’Day, the last few days have been hard.

“We all know each other. We know each other’s families. And so when something like this happens, it affects everybody within the agency,” said Lt. O’Day. “And what I’ve learned over the last four days is not just the agency itself. It’s the other employee, you know, county that’s throughout this region. It’s been a community.”

Whether it’s Tuesday night’s vigil celebrating Officer Carson’s life or a memorial cruiser continuing to grow with flowers, balloons and other items, Lt. O’Day says they’ll continue to support Carson’s family however they can.

“Anything they want, they’re going to get, we’ll make it happen,” said Lt. O’Day.

An online fundraiser for the Carson family has even raised over $18,000 in just the last couple of days.

Funeral services will be held in Lake Ozark this Thursday starting at 11 a.m., where the public is encouraged to line the streets in support.

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