Multiple charges have been filed against the person accused of killing a Rutland City Police officer and injuring two others during a police chase in Rutland on Friday afternoon.The Rutland County State’s Attorney charged Tate Rheaume, 20, with grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with death resulting and attempting to elude with death resulting. Vermont State Police said Rheaume was attempting to break-in at a residence on East Washington Street on around 2:50 p.m. Friday. Multiple police units responded, but Rheaume got away in his vehicle prompting a chase. At least two Rutland City Police cruisers were following Rheaume, when Rheaume crossed the center line on Woodstock Ave. and collided head-on into a cruiser, which was being operated by Officer Jessica Ebbighausen. Officials said Rheaume then crashed into a second police cruiser. Officer Ebbighausen, 19, was pronounced dead on the scene. Her body was brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, where her cause of death was declared blunt force trauma and her manner of death is still pending. Officer Ebbighausen was accompanied in her cruiser by full-time officer Richard Caravaggio. He was injured in the crash and released Saturday from Rutland Regional Medical Center.The driver of the second Rutland Police Dept. cruiser was Officer Kelsey Parker, who was treated and released on Friday. Rheaume was also injured in the crash and remains in custody at UVM Medical Center. He’s expected to face a judge on Monday. This comes as dozens of state officials and law enforcement agencies from across the country send their condolences to the Rutland City Police Dept. over the loss of their new recruit, who was set to attend the Vermont Police Academy next month. Those who knew Ebbighausen said she had wanted to become a police officer her whole life and was achieving that dream at age 19. “This brave, young Vermonter from Ira was at the very start of her career in law enforcement. She was only two months into her job, when she courageously jumped into action to pursue a fleeing vehicle with her fellow officer and lost her life while protecting Vermonters,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “I am deeply saddened by the death of Jessica Ebbighausen, a Rutland City police officer tragically killed in a vehicle crash while on duty today. My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends, all members of the Rutland City Police Department and the entire Rutland community. The Vermont State Police and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will offer support as they all work to respond to this loss. This is a reminder of the risks our officers face every day, and my thoughts are with all of them tonight,” said Gov. Phil Scott.”Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the fallen Rutland City Police Officer and the entire Rutland City Police Department during this difficult time,” said the Williston Police Dept. A memorial filled with flowers and messages is continuing to grow outside of the Rutland City Police Dept. in memory of Officer Ebbighausen. Vermont State Police said funeral arrangements are pending and will be published in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Multiple charges have been filed against the person accused of killing a Rutland City Police officer and injuring two others during a police chase in Rutland on Friday afternoon.
The Rutland County State’s Attorney charged Tate Rheaume, 20, with grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with death resulting and attempting to elude with death resulting.
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Vermont State Police said Rheaume was attempting to break-in at a residence on East Washington Street on around 2:50 p.m. Friday.
Multiple police units responded, but Rheaume got away in his vehicle prompting a chase.
At least two Rutland City Police cruisers were following Rheaume, when Rheaume crossed the center line on Woodstock Ave. and collided head-on into a cruiser, which was being operated by Officer Jessica Ebbighausen.
Officials said Rheaume then crashed into a second police cruiser.
Officer Ebbighausen, 19, was pronounced dead on the scene. Her body was brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, where her cause of death was declared blunt force trauma and her manner of death is still pending.
Officer Ebbighausen was accompanied in her cruiser by full-time officer Richard Caravaggio. He was injured in the crash and released Saturday from Rutland Regional Medical Center.
The driver of the second Rutland Police Dept. cruiser was Officer Kelsey Parker, who was treated and released on Friday.
Rheaume was also injured in the crash and remains in custody at UVM Medical Center. He’s expected to face a judge on Monday.
This comes as dozens of state officials and law enforcement agencies from across the country send their condolences to the Rutland City Police Dept. over the loss of their new recruit, who was set to attend the Vermont Police Academy next month.
Those who knew Ebbighausen said she had wanted to become a police officer her whole life and was achieving that dream at age 19.
“This brave, young Vermonter from Ira was at the very start of her career in law enforcement. She was only two months into her job, when she courageously jumped into action to pursue a fleeing vehicle with her fellow officer and lost her life while protecting Vermonters,” said Rep. Becca Balint.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Jessica Ebbighausen, a Rutland City police officer tragically killed in a vehicle crash while on duty today. My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends, all members of the Rutland City Police Department and the entire Rutland community. The Vermont State Police and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will offer support as they all work to respond to this loss. This is a reminder of the risks our officers face every day, and my thoughts are with all of them tonight,” said Gov. Phil Scott.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the fallen Rutland City Police Officer and the entire Rutland City Police Department during this difficult time,” said the Williston Police Dept.
A memorial filled with flowers and messages is continuing to grow outside of the Rutland City Police Dept. in memory of Officer Ebbighausen.
Vermont State Police said funeral arrangements are pending and will be published in accordance with the family’s wishes.
