An Easley, South Carolina, police officer was hit by a train and killed while helping a person who was experiencing a “mental health crisis,” according to Lt. Ashley Anderson, with the Easley Police Department.Officers were called at about 5 a.m. Wednesday to the tracks around 2009 East Main Street in Easley to assist a caller who was experiencing a “mental health crisis,” Anderson said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. She said about 6 a.m., two officers found the person who called 911, and while trying to remove the person from the tracks, one of the officers, Matthew Hare, was hit and killed by a train. Anderson said the other officer was not injured, and the person who called 911 is in custody. No one on the train was injured. “Officer Hare was a hero,” Anderson said.Officer Matthew Hare Memorial FundClick here to give a donation to Officer Matthew Hare Memorial Fund.Condolences from around the Carolinas were posted on social media on Wednesday: The city of Pickens Facebook page posted this message at about 11 a.m.:”The City of Pickens is saddened to learn of the death of an Easley Police officer in the line of duty earlier today. We extend our deepest sympathy to the police officer’s family, the City of Easley Police Department, and the entire Easley community.”The Greenville Police Department posted the following message at about 12:25 p.m.:”Our hearts go out to the Easley Police Department as we mourn the tragic loss of an officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty early this morning. The bravery and dedication of this officer to keeping our communities safe will never be forgotten.”Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis also started a news conference Wednesday morning by offering his condolences to the law enforcement family in Easley. “I’m sure many of you have heard they’ve had a tragedy down there this morning, so we certainly ask that everybody continue to pray for them as they work through this issue this morning,” Lewis said.The School District of Pickens County released a statement on behalf of Officer Hare:”The School District of Pickens County is deeply saddened by the tragic train incident that occurred earlier today in Easley. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Officer Hare’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We express our heartfelt condolences to them, and we stand in solidarity with the law enforcement community.”The principal of East End Elementary School, Tammy Day, who was also Hare’s principal when he went to East End, released this statement around 4:15 p.m.:”Matthew Hare was a student who was full of life and was kind to all. Everyone enjoyed his zest and energy. We all were so proud of him when we saw pictures of his swearing in as an officer for EPD. His death is such a tragic loss for everyone that knew him.”
An Easley, South Carolina, police officer was hit by a train and killed while helping a person who was experiencing a “mental health crisis,” according to Lt. Ashley Anderson, with the Easley Police Department.
Officers were called at about 5 a.m. Wednesday to the tracks around 2009 East Main Street in Easley to assist a caller who was experiencing a “mental health crisis,” Anderson said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
She said about 6 a.m., two officers found the person who called 911, and while trying to remove the person from the tracks, one of the officers, Matthew Hare, was hit and killed by a train.
Anderson said the other officer was not injured, and the person who called 911 is in custody.
No one on the train was injured.
“Officer Hare was a hero,” Anderson said.
Condolences from around the Carolinas were posted on social media on Wednesday:
The city of Pickens Facebook page posted this message at about 11 a.m.:
“The City of Pickens is saddened to learn of the death of an Easley Police officer in the line of duty earlier today. We extend our deepest sympathy to the police officer’s family, the City of Easley Police Department, and the entire Easley community.”
The Greenville Police Department posted the following message at about 12:25 p.m.:
“Our hearts go out to the Easley Police Department as we mourn the tragic loss of an officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty early this morning. The bravery and dedication of this officer to keeping our communities safe will never be forgotten.”
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis also started a news conference Wednesday morning by offering his condolences to the law enforcement family in Easley.
“I’m sure many of you have heard they’ve had a tragedy down there this morning, so we certainly ask that everybody continue to pray for them as they work through this issue this morning,” Lewis said.
The School District of Pickens County released a statement on behalf of Officer Hare:
“The School District of Pickens County is deeply saddened by the tragic train incident that occurred earlier today in Easley.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Officer Hare’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We express our heartfelt condolences to them, and we stand in solidarity with the law enforcement community.”
The principal of East End Elementary School, Tammy Day, who was also Hare’s principal when he went to East End, released this statement around 4:15 p.m.:
“Matthew Hare was a student who was full of life and was kind to all. Everyone enjoyed his zest and energy. We all were so proud of him when we saw pictures of his swearing in as an officer for EPD. His death is such a tragic loss for everyone that knew him.”