Clinton devastated after police death

Posted: Friday, February 22, 2008 12:14 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton, Ron Allen, Kelly O'Donnell

From NBC's Ron Allen and Kelly O'Donnell
A police motorcycle officer died after a crash escorting Clinton's motorcade in Dallas today. In a statement afterwards, Clinton called the accident is "devastating" news -- she feels "heart-sick" and expressed her condolences to the family and to the Dallas police department. Clinton placed a call to the chief, and she added that this reminds us of what people in law enforcement do everyday. "We respect their service."

VIDEO: A Dallas police officer was killed in a motor accident while escorting Sen. Hillary Clinton to a campaign rally. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.

Clinton looked profoundly upset by what had happened -- a routine police operation she's probably been part of countless times as first lady, senator and now presidential candidate.

It's also worth noting that at least two officers have died in accidents while working in motorcades for President Bush in the last few years. The incidents occurred in Honolulu and Albuquerque.

As of this writing, the Clinton motorcade is rolling slowly down a highway. We're heading to another event. It's such a contrast to the way motorcades usually race through cities and towns....with crowds catching a glimpse of dignitaries. The press bus is silent. I think everyone is just stunned. Such an unexpected tragedy.

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Comments

She can show some compassion by canceling the rally she was on her way to and offer to help the officer's family out.

Sean, Voorhees, NJ (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:21 PM)

I saw this on breaking news awhile ago. Such a sad horrible thing. They said that Sen. Clinton saw the accident and was very upset.
My prayers are with the family of this police officer.

John Doe (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:22 PM)

Oh, that's just awful news. My thoughts are with his family and with Hillary as they try to continue through this day.

Obama 08, Iowa (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:24 PM)

I DARE anyone to make smartass remarks about the Senator following and concerning this tragedy. Before you do, let me just say, SHUT UP.

Jane DOE (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:27 PM)

That is truly terrible. I wish his family and everyone there that experienced this the best...

how horrible.

Ron, TX (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:27 PM)

I admire Hillary Clinton even though I support Obama in the election. I am very sorry to hear this news not only for Hillary but more the officers family. I hope that her visit to the family is not turned into a media circus. For hers and the family's sake some things need to stay private.

Vincent KC (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:30 PM)

Oh, that is a very sad day for the officers and the Clinton camp and all of us who know the value of life. I can perfect understand her devastation. It doesn't get any better, does it?

At times such as this, with such a tragedy, it does not matter who I support, I feel the pain of someone losing their life while they are just doing their job.

Obama Supporter, GA (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:30 PM)

Sean. Try not to be such a total jerk.

PC. Salt lake City, Ut (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:30 PM)

Cops, firemen, first responders, soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen...ALL who serve.
THESE are the people "Pimp Daddy B.O." would sell-out by negotiating UNCONDITIONALLY with terrorist thugs, and communist dictators.
My sincere condolences to the Officer's family. Please remember the service of our brave first responders, and our servicemen when you go to the primary polls down there in Texas on March 4th.
Don't sell-out their service in exchange for people who say they "finally" became proud of this country.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:33 PM)

Jane Doe, Now that is the stuidest comment I have ever heard.

This is now anout Hillary. It is about the los of life. Yes, the Clintons will fine a way to use this to their advantage.

As I say before. This is about the loss of life, a cops life not about Hillary. I pray for the family of this officer and his family.

cc, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:33 PM)

Congratulations on making that first comment, Jane DOE. Give people a little credit for being empathetic before opening your piehole like that.

Dingodude. (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:34 PM)

This story breaks my heart. Sending prayers out to the officers family and to Senator Clinton and her staff.

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:35 PM)

Oh, they will, Jane. They always do. Like clockwork.

This time, it'll be some nutcase conspiratorial trash along the lines of 'Hillary had him killed' or something. That's usually how it goes.

Keep a watch on WorldNetDaily in the coming days and weeks. They love this sort of stuff and it wouldn't be a surprise whatsoever if one of their so-called 'journalists' did an 'exclusive'.

M. Boley (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:37 PM)

Death is a robber. When it happens, people from opposing sides should forget their differences and stand with the bereaved.

No matter how we feel about Hillary, the cop was just doing his daily work, woke up in the morning expecting to go back home at night to be with his family, and while on the job, the robber, death, snatched him away. My prayers for his family.

Charity for Obama, Ga (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:40 PM)

CC, I never said it was about the Clintons. My point. Because I know the Obama supporters who post here. They will forget that this is a tragedy of an officers death, and will make it her fault and give us all the reasons her reaction was wrong. Obama-ites have no compassion.

Jane DOE (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:42 PM)

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ... HILLARY CLINTON IS ACTUALLY USING THIS AS CAMPAIGN MATERIAL! THERE IS NOTHING SHE WOULD SHY AWAY FROM, NOT EVEN A TRAGIC DEATH OF A POLICE MAN.

LINDA, MISSOURI (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:43 PM)

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the fallen officer and to Hillary Clinton and her staff. It's a tragedy. I have been a volunteer driver in campaign motorades, I have the utmost respect for the officers who put their lives on the line everyday in service to this country.

Allison (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:43 PM)

Jane Doe please calm down a bit. People are not heartless. I'm sure everyone's prayers no matter who you support goes out to the officers family.

Rob (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:43 PM)

It is very sad to see the hatred and disdain conveyed by some people towards Senator Clinton. Sad because all they know is what is reported in the media and forget she is also a human being like you and me. I'm sure she is no different as a person than you, your sister or your mother. She hurts, she feels, she is not made of iron or ice. How easy it is to dehumanize someone and turn them into a thing, a photo, or the opposition. This could have happened to Senator Obama, his wife could have easily made the same comment. What's going on here? Are we so totally blinded by political beliefs that we have lost our capacity to feel empathy?

Enrique, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:45 PM)

You can count on the craven sellout who hates America --> J. Merle Stanley

nuanced (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:46 PM)

*** UPDATE *** Per NBC's Christina Jamison, what was supposed to be a rally in Fort Worth is now being cut short. Senator Clinton will make brief remarks here in Fort Worth -- she spoke with the Dallas police chief on the drive over here, and then she is going to go visit the officer's family while the traveling press is taken to the airport.

Do you see Sean, Voorhees, NJ, she has a heart. She has cut short her rally because of the news. I think this goes to show she is humane enough to know the impact of this to everyone else involved.

Her loss to Obama does not make her a bad person, so lets not treat her like she is inhumane.

Obama supporter, GA (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:46 PM)

Why does LINDA, MISSOURI hate America?

nuanced (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:48 PM)

Jane- you're making it obvious that your the one with an unfair bias. I'm an Obama supporter and I think this is tragic. I think Hillary's reaction was natural and compassionate... as the other Obama supporters on here have stated. Your comment was just antagonizing and rude. Sometimes it's not about politics. Your comments suggest that you think others need to recognize this, but you don't. Notice that all the comments before yours suggest remorse or helping the family. Yours was the first one that was rude. Quit the name calling and generalizations. Instead send your good thoughts or prayers or whatever you're inclined to send to the family of the fallen officer.

Kira, Utah (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:50 PM)

J Merle, your disgust has no limits.

Ron, TX (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:50 PM)

Yes, no matter how HRC responds, obamaheads will find some way to accuse her of using it for her campaign. (see Linda from Missouri's comment) Very sad. I don't know how people who are being so "inspired" can be so ugly toward the other candidate. Where is all that unity they are spouting. Very sad. The proverbial "pot calling the kettle black"

sick of obamahead negativism (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:51 PM)

When are you people going to start treating motorcycles like traffic?

RIP fellow biker.

Lee in CA (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:51 PM)

**I apologize for the nature of this and detracting from the true nature of this event. My thoughts are with the family.**

Jane Doe,

Read comment above yours and then reread your claim for Obamaites have no compassion. I personally find it laughable that you are able to clump all the various groups that support him into souless beings. You make this claim to "know" the supporters who post here. Really? How well can you know a fellow human being through an electronic posting on newsfeed site?

Sebastian, Funehiki, Tamura, Japan (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:52 PM)

My thoughts and prayers to the family of the officer. To Hilary, be strong as you've always been. The calloused media will try to spin this anyway they want to.

Dan, Ohio (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:53 PM)

I'm very sorry for the police family. Let talk more about there loss instead of Hillary. Go Obama!!!!

Duane Seattle (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:56 PM)

What terible news.

However, why is worth noting that this tragedy has happened to Bush? what is the correlation? In the wake of tragedy, MSNBC has to somehow equate clinton to Bush and Obama as fresh and oh of course this could NEVER happen to him. Its a terrible accident and she did the right thing by going to see the family. Enough said.

Lynette, NYC (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:57 PM)

Sean in Voorhee, NJ - She has showing compassion for the officer's family and his fellow officers. You act like she is heartless, shame on you.

Peggy (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:57 PM)

Shame on you, J. Merle Stanley, you don't like Obama, that's fine. Using the death of a police officer to politicize your views is utterly shameful behavior.

Jay, NM (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:59 PM)

Well....it seems some people are heartless as they have taken this opportunity to bash Clinton.

But I don't fault the Obama supporters, I have a hunch that the negative blogs come from the right in their effort to get democrats at each others' throats. Clinton is a good woman and a loyal Democrat. She may not be your choice for President but she has served her country well....and will continue to serve it well, nomination or no nomination. We could all learn a lesson from her.

Campdog (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:02 PM)

this is a time to send out your thoughts,prayers to all that were in this accident.i do believe hillary has a heart.we are all human afterall and witnessing an accident like that is very traumatizing to all!

obama,pa. (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:02 PM)

Linda - How is she using this in her campaign? By expressing her condolences and the tragedy of a life lost. Think before you type.

Peggy (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:03 PM)

everyone...stop....stop....breathe. Don't mention Clinton or Obama in this post(There are plenty of others). Just give condolence please.

CJ (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:04 PM)

campdog,,well said,,i am an o supporter but i do have a great deal of respect for hillary..we all should be better than all this attacking stuff..man,an officer just died!!and then his family suffers and people are poking an proding..just not right..

obama08 (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:06 PM)

After realizing that she will not get the nomination last night in the debate, Hillary must be totally devastated by this loss. It's just one trauma heaped upon another. I can understand her making a statement about that, and sending her condolences to all touched by this. But what I don't understand, and the Clinton's always do this, is why she had to appear in front of the cameras to do this. It made it appear that she was grandstanding and using this terrible tragedy to get some kind of publicity and political points from it. Whether this was planned or not, the Clintons set themselves up for criticisms by things like this, it's suspicious. A sincere written statement would have been more than enough.

robby10001, Washington, DC (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:06 PM)

Sean, Voorhees, NJ said

She can show some compassion by canceling the rally she was on her way to and offer to help the officer's family out.

She DID cancel the rally she was on her way to and she's currently at the hospital with the family of the officer that died right now, dumb ass.

If I were you I would start looking over my shoulder, you just might have people heading your way to give you a well deserved ass kicking.

LINDA, MISSOURI said

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ... HILLARY CLINTON IS ACTUALLY USING THIS AS CAMPAIGN MATERIAL!

You're pathetic, get your head out of your ass. Just because you're in love with Obama, you don't have to put your ignorance out there for the whole world to see.

You might want to keep a look out over your shoulder from now on as well if you're going to make such comments.

Jonathan Butler, Greensboro, NC, US Army Retired (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:07 PM)

This tragedy should not be about Hillary. Its about the tragic accident involving a police officer performing his duty to protect and serve. I think the secret service and local police should look into their procedures and training to make sure that undertake all precautions to avoid such tragic accidents in the future. Two accidents in the last couple of years is too much.

William Hurston, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:09 PM)

UGGGHHHHHHHH... Obama supporter, GA-- go away, get some class and post somewhere else- this isn't a place to post smarmy remarks about winning or losing. Whether you're for Obama or Hillary-- no one cares at this moment.

This is about a horrible thing that happened to a PERSON and a tragedy for his friends and family. May they be comforted in their time of need by our UNITED thoughts and prayers.

dawn, beacon, ny (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:10 PM)

Come on people!! THIS IS SOMEONE'S LIFE THAT HAS BEEN LOST!!! There is nothing political about that. I support Senator Obama and my heart goes out to the officer's family (yes I do feel contrary to some posts I've read). Let's come together regardless of your belief and who you support and keep this family in our prayers. God bless

Let's Unite, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:10 PM)

Jane- Your 1st comment was short, smart and totally true. Your 2nd was insulting and out of bounds. I'm a vet working with vet's for the past 25years. I care not what color, gender or "party" they claim. I want to assist in healing them. How's that for a Obama-ite without compassion? God please Bless this family. Media: laeve this family alone. Jane: chill, your slip is showing.

Mike Chambers, E. Orange NJ (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:10 PM)

it was a female office that died. our thoughts should go to her family and Hillary should definitely just stayed away. sending her message was enough.

ken at sfo (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:12 PM)

I agree with Linda from Missouri, when I heard about this, I knew that she would pump it for all it's worth. That's just the way the Clintons do things. Yes, I feel very sorry for the officer's family, but why does Hillary or Senator Obama for that matter, get a police escort to events? I get the Secret Service, but why local? To keep them on time? What does this cost local cities that they visit? And they certainly don't need to be speeding along.

C Grace (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:12 PM)

Shame on anyone that uses this horrible death to make a point for their own political views. Im sure both candidates are horrified and hurt about this tragic death.
God bless the family and friends of the police officer who passed. My heart goes out too you!

Joey P. Texarkana,,, (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:13 PM)

LINDA, MISSOURI you are very dumb and the other obama MANIACS should tpe their non inspiring lips together as BS comes out of it, just like thier CULTIST LEADER. The officers family is in pain right now and not ready to listen to all the crap about OBAMA MANIACS. You obaman cultist needs to stop and l just can't wait for clinton to win so you obama cultist can hide your heads in shame. Atleast she is proud of her country unlike the cultist wife that isn't.

joy, houston tx (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:14 PM)

Thank you Jonathan Butler! Thoughts to the Officer's family.

Pam Upstate, NY (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:18 PM)

My prayers go out to the family. Death is not is not easy for anyone. i hope Hillary is compassion enough to not exploit the family and allow a day of prayer for all, free from campaigning. There has been so much wrong with her running for president-- money issues, top people quiting, money mismanagment, and now this. Think---- Hillary appears to have an omen hanging over her. She should give it up, evident proves that she will not become the next president, nor should she try to continue on with this nightmare. Quit Hillary while you are ahead and before you cause grief in someone else's life.

Can NY (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:19 PM)

I am an Obama supporter but to criticize HRO over this shows a certain lack of class. Someone helping her just passed while on duty. Surely the woman is allowed to grieve without people insuating negatively and sniping at her.

James, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:20 PM)

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