A Shattered Shield: Officer's Tragic End and the Reckoning on I-270

A pall of sorrow has fallen over the St. Louis community following a devastating multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 270 that claimed the life of a dedicated Berkeley police officer and injured another. The tragic incident, which unfolded in the early morning hours, has led to serious charges against the driver accused of causing the fatal collision.

Officer Dustin S.

S., 45, a married father of four and a decorated military veteran, tragically succumbed to his injuries following the crash. His colleague, Officer Anthony R. C., 24, was also injured but has since been treated and released, a testament to the precarious nature of their duties.

The fateful collision occurred around 2:15 a.m.

on a Tuesday, near N. Lindbergh Boulevard in Hazelwood. Both officers were in their patrol car, which was stationary on the right shoulder of northbound I-270, its emergency lights flashing, as they worked to secure the scene of an earlier crash. It was then that a 2004 Ford Explorer, allegedly driven by Kevin B.

G., 34, of St. Ann, veered and slammed into the rear of the patrol vehicle.

The force of the impact was catastrophic, propelling the police car into the concrete barrier. Officer S. sustained critical injuries from which he could not recover, leaving behind a family and a community mourning his untimely passing.

Officer C. was struck by debris but, thankfully, his injuries were not life-threatening. Kevin B. G. also sustained injuries in the crash.

In the wake of this tragedy, authorities moved swiftly. Kevin B. G. has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, facing the grave consequences of the incident.

His bond has been set at a substantial $500,000 cash only, reflecting the seriousness of the charges. He is scheduled to appear in court on February 20, 2018.

Officer S.'s death is a profound loss. He dedicated two decades of his life to serving his country in the Army National Guard, retiring as a first sergeant, before joining the Berkeley Police Department in 2015.

His commitment to public service, both military and civilian, exemplified a life lived with courage and purpose. The community now grapples with the immense grief of losing a protector, while awaiting justice for this heartbreaking loss on our highways.