Posted: Friday, September 17, 2010

Updated: September 17th, 2010 12:55 PM GMT-05:00

BY KIM NORVELL
St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.

The St. Joseph Police Department has released more details involving the death of Officer Dan De Kraai, but is not yet commenting on the investigation.

Mr. De Kraai was fatally shot Wednesday during a break in a training session, when one officer accidentally discharged his firearm during a demonstration. That officer was identified Thursday as Jason Strong, who is in good standing with the Police Department. Mr. Strong is the son of Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong.

Jason Strong was placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in a police-involved shooting, said Capt. Kevin Castle. He has been with the department since 2005 and a member of the Special Response Team for two years. In addition, Mr. Strong received a Medal of Valor for his involvement in a case involving an armed and barricaded subject.

Police are not releasing any more information until funeral services are over, Mr. Castle said. "Our primary focus right now is on supporting everyone who needs it," he said in a news release.

Ted Elo, assistant city attorney, said he is not able to comment because the investigation is ongoing. He said there is no statewide policy on internal investigations, and each department has its own set of policies that govern the investigation.

"The police chief and fire chief have the capability to issue these documents that are called general orders for their departments," Mr. Elo said.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, accidental shootings by police are uncommon.

Since 1792, there have been 350 officers killed by friendly fire, which includes stray bullets, mistaken fire or mistaken identity, said Berneta Spence, director of research for the memorial fund. She said out of the 350, no officer was charged.

In addition, there have been 140 officers killed while cleaning weapons; 33 officers killed during training when a live bullet was accidentally used instead of a clay bullet; and 16 officers killed in the late 1800s and early 1900s where the details surrounding the accident aren't available.

In all, 18,983 officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1792.