Oakland County Sheriff: Keep fallen deputy's family in your prayers

(WJBK) - A beloved Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy was killed during a pursuit on Thanksgiving Day.

A community and Sheriff's office is still in shock after the tragedy that killed Deputy Eric Overall, a beloved 22-year veteran with the force.

"The worst possible day for any law enforcement agency to lose someone in the line of duty," said Sheriff Michael Bouchard. "You had a quality guy, a senseless tragedy.

At 12:30 a.m. Thursday at M-15 and Seymour Lake Road, Overall, 50, was killed when a suspect hit him.  They were pursuing hit him with his blue sedan while he was outside in his patrol car about to put up stop sticks to track him down.

A police pursuit that started in Lapeer County. A suspect walked into the Lapeer County Sheriff's Department and made threats. Because of what he said, there was an imminent danger to the public. The pursuit started there and went westbound to I-69 to southbound to M-15.

The chase then entered Oakland County. Deputy Overall was hit in Brandon Township. The suspect's car then rolled over. the suspect taken into custody.

"A situation unfortunately we face in law enforcement around the country and unfortunately we lose a lot," Bouchard said. "I think we've seen four in the line of duty before that, this week."

That was this week. Looking at the last year, Wayne State Police Sgt. Collin Rose shot on Nov. 22, 2016. His fiancée never got to walk down the aisle with him.

Nikki Salgot released a statement on Deputy Overall: "People should think about the family and what they lost today. They didn't lose an officer, they lost a husband, a father, a son. There is so much more behind the badge than just a person, a heart, a family. a lot of people have lost sight of that and remember they're not just officers."

"We cry on each other's shoulders and we're there for one another, to get through the good times and the tough times," said Blake Gomez.

Gomez, a friend of Rose's is one of many sending their thoughts to the sheriff's department. Gomez was a dispatcher at Wayne State.

"Especially being a year later and here we are with another incident in the metro Detroit area, it's quite the tragedy," Gomez said. "It is something no one should have to live through our experience."

Sheriff Bouchard is asking you to remember this man, this brave deputy as you share this holiday with family and friends.

Deputy Overall leaves behind a wife and adult son, keep his family in your prayers.

"Keep his family in your prayers," Bouchard said. "They are hurting, and so are his friends."

DONATE: If you would like to make a donation to assist Overall's family go to https://www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-deputy-eric-overall