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N.C. officer dies in wreck on way to assist another officer

Age: 33

Additional Info: Officer Charles Callemyn had served with the Durham Police Department for 2 years and had previously served with served with the Duke University Police Department for 6 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Callemyn was killed an automobile accident while responding to back up another officer.

Date of Incident: February 17, 2007

N.C. officer dies in wreck on way to assist another officer

By Matt Dees
The News & Observer

DURHAM — A Durham police officer was killed early Saturday morning after losing control of his patrol car and slamming into an overpass support.

Charles Callemyn, 33, was heading west on Holloway Street about 3 a.m., en route to assist another officer with a traffic stop. He swerved out of control and struck a concrete column supporting the U.S. 70 overpass, police said.

It was the second serious accident involving a Triangle police officer responding to a call in two days. A Raleigh police officer remains hospitalized after he lost control of his car and hit a stand of trees early Thursday morning.

Durham police did not provide any details about Callemyn's accident. They refused to say how fast he was going or describe the nature of the traffic stop, saying the accident remains under investigation.

Callemyn had worked as a Durham police officer since April 2005. Fellow officers declined comment, saying only in a news release that, "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

Before joining Durham police, Callemyn spent about six years with the Duke University campus police, Capt. Sara-Jane Raines said. She said he was a steady officer and a good friend.

"He was very loyal. He was very honest," she said.

Raines said Callemyn also was devoted to his two sons, who survive him. Callemyn was in the National Guard and served a tour in Afghanistan in 2002, Raines said.

Raines said she took the news of Callemyn's sudden death hard.

"He had such potential, as a human being and as a police officer," she said.

Meanwhile, Michael Scott Martin was still listed in serious condition at WakeMed Raleigh Campus on Saturday, two days after his accident. Martin, 28, was traveling south on Leesville Road en route to a domestic violence call when he swerved to avoid a deer, according to an accident report.

Copyright 2007 The News and Observer

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