Osage Beach, MO – In a tragic incident that has left the Osage Beach community reeling, Police Officer Phylicia Carson, a 33-year-old mother of six, was killed early Sunday morning during a high-speed pursuit. Officer Carson, who had been with the Osage Beach Police Department for just a few months, tragically lost control of her patrol vehicle while attempting to apprehend a fleeing suspect on a rural road in Camden County, near the Lake of the Ozarks.
The incident began around 1:20 a.m. when Officer Carson, on routine patrol, observed a vehicle speeding on the dark, winding roads typical of the rural Missouri landscape. According to Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis, Carson activated her emergency lights and began a pursuit, intending to conduct a traffic stop. However, the driver, later identified as 23-year-old Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, refused to stop and accelerated, leading Carson on a dangerous chase.
As Officer Carson pursued the suspect, her vehicle skidded off the road and crashed into a tree. The impact of the collision caused her patrol car to burst into flames, tragically sealing her fate. Emergency services received a call about a vehicle fire along the highway but were unable to reach Officer Carson when they attempted to contact her. Chief Davis, visibly emotional during a press conference, confirmed that Officer Carson died in the crash, marking a somber moment for the department and the community.
The suspect, Wehmeyer, did not get far. He crashed his vehicle minutes later while still attempting to flee the scene. Police were able to apprehend him shortly afterward. Wehmeyer has since been charged with aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle, resulting in death. According to Camden County online records, he is currently being held in the Camden County Jail without bond.
This tragedy comes just days after the introduction of Missouri’s new Valentine’s Law, a piece of legislation aimed at curbing dangerous high-speed chases. Valentine’s Law, named after a fatal incident involving another law enforcement officer, creates the offense of “aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle” under circumstances where the fleeing driver knows they are being pursued by law enforcement and causes serious physical injury or death. If convicted under this law, Wehmeyer could face a felony charge that carries a potential sentence of 10 to 30 years or even life in prison.
Officer Carson had joined the Osage Beach Police Department in June 2023 and quickly became a valued member of the team. She is survived by her husband, Grant Carson, and their six children. The Osage Beach community, along with law enforcement officers across the state, have been deeply affected by this loss. “Please keep the Carson family, our Department, and our community in your thoughts and prayers as we work through this tragic event,” Chief Davis urged.
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This incident marks the first line-of-duty death the Osage Beach Police Department has experienced in over 30 years, a sobering reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has launched a full investigation into the crash, working to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this heartbreaking outcome.
In the wake of Officer Carson’s death, public figures across Missouri have expressed their condolences. Governor Mike Parson issued a statement saying that he and his wife, Teresa, are keeping the “Osage Beach community in our prayers.” He emphasized that Officer Carson’s service and sacrifice would not be forgotten. Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Carson family and the Osage Beach Police Department, underscoring the dangerous and selfless work that law enforcement officers do every day.
As the community grapples with this profound loss, they are also reminded of the critical importance of supporting law enforcement and ensuring that officers have the resources and protections they need to do their jobs safely. The death of Officer Phylicia Carson is a stark and painful illustration of the dangers inherent in police work, particularly in situations involving high-speed pursuits. Her legacy as a dedicated officer and loving mother will undoubtedly endure as the Osage Beach community honors her memory in the days and weeks to come.