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September 6, 2012 Intelligence Report: Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Patrick O'Driscoll Killed in 'Freak and Tragic Accident' on Wisconsin's Lake Como
The death of Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Patrick O'Driscoll has saddened and stunned family, friends and co-workers. O'Driscoll was an Illinois state trooper for 26 years, serving in a wide array of assignments. O'Driscoll died on Labor Day Monday when the jet ski he was on with his 9-year-old daughter was hit by a powerboat. It was a freak accident on Lake Como, in Walworth County, not far from Lake Geneva, according to Wisconsin state investigators. Forty-eight-year-old O'Driscoll was about 200 feet off shore from the vacation home he and family have had for many years. Authorities say, as the jet ski headed toward shore, an 18-foot power boat collided with it, in full view of O'Driscoll's wife and others who were attending Labor Day festivities on Lake Como. O'Driscoll's daughter Maura was hospitalized but not seriously injured. As a bagpiper with the famed Shannon Rovers for nearly 10 years, Master Sergeant O'Driscoll played at many funerals. On Monday, they will play at his. In a statement, the Rovers said that O'Driscoll "had the gift of gab; and was a true Irishman, with the ability to smile and make people laugh." O'Driscoll began his career in ISP District 3, served in District Chicago and on the Riverboat Gaming Unit. He became an attorney as well, and at the time of his death he was serving as chief sergeants steward for the Teamsters Union and assigned to the Office of Labor Relations and Special Projects. A Teamsters' statement said of O'Driscoll that he was "willing to stand up for what he believed in, didn't always make people happy, but felt strongly about protecting the rights of state patrolmen." Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau called O'Driscoll "a dedicated and honorable member of the department," and "his service will be remembered by the men and women of ISP and the citizens he served." O'Driscoll's sister-in-law says no alcohol was involved, that it was a "freak and tragic accident" and that "two families are devastated." They did not know the boater who ran into the jet ski. Police say no charges have been filed but the investigation is open. This story originally appeared as part of ABC 7 Chicago's report on Wednesday, Sept. 5. |
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MAY 2013 Monday, May 13, 2013
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