Remembering CHP's Finest - Tom Coleman (6/11/2010)

Update - viewing, funeral and trust fund:

The viewing of Officer Coleman will take place on Wednesday June 16, 2010.
Mountain View Mortuary - 470 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404
1600-1700 Hours – Immediate family only
1700-2100 Hours – Family and friends

Memorial services will take place on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 1000 hours.
Redlands Bowl – 25 Grant Street, Redlands, CA 92373

An outdoor reception is scheduled directly after the memorial service at the Abraham Lincoln Shrine located directly across the street from Redlands Bowl.

Trust Fund- A trust fund has been established for the Coleman family with the CAHP Credit Union. Those wishing to make donations can send them to the San Bernardino CHP Office (2211 Western Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92411) or make them directly to the CAHP Credit Union.

CAHP Credit Union – PO Box 826, San Dimas, CA 91773
Account #119677

The credit union requests checks payable to Jamie Coleman with “Tom Coleman Memorial Fund” written on the memo line.

Early this morning, Officer Tom Coleman, I.D. 17338, sustained fatal injuries in a collision while on his Departmental motorcycle. At approximately 6:28 a.m., Officer Coleman initiated a traffic stop on a silver Ford Focus for a traffic violation in the city of Redlands. The Ford Focus fled from Officer Coleman, committing numerous traffic violations at a high rate of speed. Officer Colemen had his lights and siren activated.

As the suspect headed eastbound on San Bernardino Avenue near Nevada Street, Officer Coleman advised that the suspect was still at a high rate of speed. The CHP then began to receive citizen 911 calls that a motorcycle officer had been involved in a collision. CHP officers responded to the intersection of San Bernardino Ave and Alabama Street to find that Officer Coleman had been involved in a serious traffic collision with a big rig truck in the intersection. The suspect continued to flee eastbound on San Bernardino Avenue. The suspect then turned southbound on Buckeye Street and was involved in a collision at Lugonia Avenue near the Citrus Plaza. Four suspects in the vehicle attempted to flee on foot but were captured by CHP officers soon after. It was later determined that the vehicle had been stolen.

Officer Coleman was killed instantly as a result of the collision. He worked in the San Bernardino Area and had been with the CHP for over 7 years. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Officer Colemen gave his life for the people of California while performing his duties and will be remembered by all.