Police: Officer Hurt In Crash Died Of Complications From Surgery
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Devoted family man and officer. That is how family members of Officer Craig Chandler remember him.
The officer died Friday night from complications after his police cruiser crashed with a scooter during a police pursuit in November.
Marcus Washington reports.
Officer Chandler had been with the department since 2008. His family says he loved his job.
A sign of mourning drapes in black and blue outside of Baltimore City Police Headquarters as one of their own has died.
"I tell you, you never get used to the trauma of situations like this," Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said.
Officer Craig Chandler is one of the most recent Baltimore City police officer to die after an incident on the job.
"We have done this 136 times. And I like to applaud the courage that officers show every single day when they go out on the streets to protect Baltimore," said Batts.
On November 23, Chandler and three other officers were in pursuit of a man on a scooter.
READ: Police Chase Ends In Crash; Officer In Critical Condition
Police say when the man tried to dash into an alley, the cruiser struck him, causing both the scooter and the car to collide with a light pole. Officer Chandler was seriously hurt.
Nearly seven weeks later, on Friday, he died as a result of complications from surgery.
"We will forever honor their memory, their service, their diligence and support their families," the commissioner said.
Commissioner Batts says Officer Chandler courageously fought for his life.
"Over the last six weeks--a testament to his courage, to his strength and his character overall," he said.
Chandler leaves a wife and two small children.
Funeral arrangements for Officer Chandler have not been announced.
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