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UPDATE: Cocoa Officer Struck By Vehicle During Escort For The ‘Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial’

By  //  May 1, 2017

PRESS CONFERENCE: Authorities provide an update on the injured officer’s status and further details on the incident that took place on Sunday.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Cocoa Police have provided an update on the police officer struck in a hit-and-run during an escort for the Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

According to Yvonne Martinez of the Cocoa Police Department, Officer Rickford Leitch remains in the hospital and is in good condition following a Sunday morning crash during a police escort of The Moving Wall.

“He is in good spirits and is very thankful for all the outpouring of support,” said Chief Mike Cantaloupe.

“He is recovering and we are grateful he is doing as well as he is.”

On Sunday at around 10:30 a.m. Officer Leitch was on a motor escort with more than a dozen other motor officers from multiple jurisdictions throughout Brevard County.

As the procession headed south on U.S. 1 and approached the intersection of Rosa L. Jones, the driver of a dark blue Jeep Cherokee, who was also heading south in the procession in the far right lane, pulled in front of Officer Leitch who was traveling in the far left lane to secure the next traffic control point.

Police say Officer Leitch had no time to react and ended up hitting the driver side of the Jeep which caused him to be thrown from the motorcycle, flipping several times before landing.

The suspected driver fled the scene and is still being sought by police.

The suspect vehicle has been located and is being processed for evidence.

Cocoa Police Officer Witnesses, Describes Hit-and-Run Involving His Partner, Police Search For SuspectRelated Story:
Cocoa Police Officer Witnesses, Describes Hit-and-Run Involving His Partner, Police Search For Suspect

Authorities are asking anyone that was either part of the Moving Wall procession, witnessed the crash or has a business with security cameras in the area surrounding the crash and area side streets near the crash is asked to please provide any video to the investigators with the Rockledge Police Department.

Anyone with information is also asked to contact the Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 in this case.