Vigil held for officer killed in car chase

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Thursday, June 23, 2016
Vigil held for officer killed in car chase
Vigil held for officer killed in car chase.

CONROE, TX (KTRK) -- The family of fallen Patton Village police officer Stacey Baumgartner joined the community for a vigil Wednesday night.

Dozens of people lit candles as they remembered Sgt. Baumgartner who was killed Sunday night in the Conroe area.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Sgt. Baumgartner was sent to the Valero Corner store at SH 242 and US 59. It was reported that a man was urinating on the sidewalk and exposing himself to customers. As Sgt. Baumgartner arrived, police say Garrett William Nee, 29, attempted to run down the officer and a chase began.

They were headed west on Highway 242 from US 59. At the intersection of FM 1485, Nee reportedly ran a light and kept going. Sgt. Baumgartner followed but was T-boned by a white 1998 Chevy Suburban.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Chase collision kills officer and 11-year-old in Montgomery County

"The force from the crash forced the officer to the immediate right of the intersection and he hit a traffic light pole," said DPS Trooper Richard Standifer. "The SUV, after the crash occurred, due to the severe damage and the force, it was flipped. It came to rest and was upside down on the 1485 side, just off the improved shoulder."

Sgt. Baumgartner was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands with CPR in progress, but he was declared dead upon arrival. The 11-year-old inside the SUV, Adan Hilario, Jr. was killed.