The pedestrian has been identified as 58 year old Adell Zachary Jr. of Killeen. 

The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit continues to investigate this fatal crash and information will be released as it becomes available.

On Sunday, January 28, 2018, 8:19 p.m., officers were dispatched for a welfare concern for a male walking in the roadway on the service road near the Willow Springs Exit.  At approximately 8:21 p.m., officers were advised of a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in the 1500 block of West Central Texas Expressway.  Officers arrived to find an injured male and a blue Nissan Sentra.  The preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was walking westbound in the inside lane, when the male was struck by a 2015 blue Nissan Sentra that was traveling westbound in the inside lane on the service road.

The pedestrian was transported to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.  Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced male pedestrian deceased at 10:15 p.m.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

On Sunday, January 28, 2018, 8:19 p.m., officers were dispatched for a welfare concern for a male walking in the roadway on the service road near the Willow Springs Exit.  At approximately 8:21 p.m., officers were advised of a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in the 1500 block of West Central Texas Expressway.  Officers arrived to find an injured male and a blue Nissan Sentra.  The preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was walking westbound in the inside lane, when the male was struck by a 2015 blue Nissan Sentra that was traveling westbound in the inside lane on the service road.

The pedestrian was transported to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.  Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced male pedestrian deceased at 10:15 p.m.

The name of the pedestrian is being withheld until next of kin is notified.

The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit continues to investigate this crash and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Detectives continue to investigate this case and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

On December 15, 2017, Lieutenant Thomas Smith graduated from the 270^th FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

The FBI National Academy, a command college that began in 1935, is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities. Participation is by invitation only, through a nomination and selection process. The 10-week program—which provides coursework in leadership,  intelligence theory, terrorism, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, fitness and forensic science—serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.  LT Smith attended session #270, which began on October 2, 2017.

LT Smith, who commands the AM Watch in the Patrol Division, has served with the department for 22 years.  He was promoted to sergeant in 2012 and to lieutenant in 2015.

The Killeen Police Department has had four command staff attend law enforcement command college: Commander Erich Morsbach graduated from FBINA #226 in 2009, Assistant Chief of Police Margaret Young graduated from the FBINA #246 in 2011, Commander Reese Davis graduated from FBINA #252 in 2013 and Lieutenant Robert Rush graduated from the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Leadership Command College in 2012.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a special traffic enforcement detail on Thursday, January 25, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Interstate-14.  This enforcement is intended to remind motorists about the ‘Move Over/Slow Down’ Law, 545.157 requires drivers nearing stopped emergency vehicles -with lights activated and/or tow truck to either slow down or change lanes.  The law states a driver must either vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction or slowdown 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and to increase the emphasis on the danger of traffic enforcement throughout the city.

The Killeen Police Department Traffic reminds you to slow down, give yourself plenty of time to arrive to your destination safely and on time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department will be hosting its 43rd Citizen’s Police Academy with classes beginning on March 5, 2018 and continuing through May 21, 2018.  Classes will be held on Monday evenings from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and one additional class on Saturday, April 21^st.  There will be a total of twelve weeks of instruction, including presentations of the functions and operations of the departments various investigative and administrative divisions.  It is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that affect law enforcement efforts in the City of Killeen.

Applications will be available at the Killeen Police Department beginning Monday, January 22, 2018 and the deadline for applications will be Friday, February 23, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.   Applicants must agree to submit to a background check which includes a criminal history inquiry. There is no cost to anyone who enrolls. For more information on the Citizen’s Police Academy, contact Tammy Moseley at the Killeen Police Department by telephone at 254-501-8805 or email tmoseley@killeentexas.gov.

 
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

On Saturday, January 6, 2018, at approximately 8:08 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of Florence Road in reference a 911 call about a crash involving a motorcycle.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they located two males in the roadway.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a black Harley Davidson Motorcycle and an orange Harley Davidson Motorcycle were traveling southbound on Florence Road when the operator of the black motorcycle failed to control his speed, collided with the rear of the orange motorcycle.  The operator of the orange motorcycle was treated and released by paramedics on scene and unfortunately, the operator of the black motorcycle succumbed to his injuries.  41 year-old Jose Rojas of Harker Heights, was pronounced deceased on scene at 8:52 p.m., by Justice of the Peace Claudia Brown.  An autopsy has been ordered at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas.

The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit continues to investigate this crash and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Animal Services announces it has been awarded a $70,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to support funding that will be utilized to aid the shelter’s ongoing spay and neuter program and the health and care of the animals in need that can be entered into the adoption program.

Killeen Animal Services is a nonprofit municipal organization serving the citizens of Killeen, Texas.  Killeen Animal Services provide a full range of services that begin with the initial capture or owner surrender of animals located within the corporate limits of the city.  Through various programs Animal Services strives to return lost pets to their original owner seek new owners for abandon or stray animals or coordinate with rescue organizations to manage the placement of as many future pets as possible to their new homes.

The Petco Foundation investment will provide a bridge to help new pets owners make responsible choices as they bring home their new family member.  The Killeen Animal Services will issue a voucher to cover the cost for spaying or neutering the new adopted pet and the rabies vaccination.  The shelter will issue vouchers to Return to Owner animals that are not in compliance with the city ordnance.  This program will help bring the shelter’s name in a positive venue.  Name recognition increases attention and draws more potential pet owners to the shelter.  The program aids the new owners fiscally while supporting the cities spay, neuter and rabies program in a more positive manner to promote adoptions.

The Petco Foundation’s support for our organization, with this grant will allow the animal shelter to provide Citizen’s of Killeen with a way to have their animals spayed or neutered and receive their rabies shot with minimal fiscal impact.

For more information about Killeen Animal Services or the Petco Foundation, visit, www.killeenpetadoption.org or www.petcofoundation.org. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by using the hashtag #PetcoFoundation.

The Killeen Animal Shelter was formed in 1975 to meet the needs of the City of Killeen for both animal welfare and the public health. Since opening their doors, they have remained true to their mission in helping all animals in need, regardless of species or breed. At the shelter, they care for and find permanent, loving homes for dogs, cats and other companion animals through adoption and rescue. Their mission is to provide temporary shelter, food, medical needs, and comfort to all strays animals that were abandoned, neglected or injured and brought to us by the community.  Our ultimate goal is to restore lost animals to their owners or seek new homes for lost or stray animals.  We also seek to educate the public about the humane care of animals with a goal of reducing overpopulation.

At the Petco Foundation, they believe that every animal deserves to live its best life.  Since 1999, they have invested more than $157 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With their more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, they inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through their Think Adoption First program, they partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, they’ve helped more than 4.9 million pets find new loving families, and they’re just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

For further information about the voucher program at the Killeen Animal Services contact shelter manager, Mr. Ed Tucker at 254-526-4455 or by email – etucker@killeentexas.gov.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department