Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — A renowned San Francisco police officer was placed on medical leave before he was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run and will be suspended when he is eligible to return to duty, authorities said Monday.
Christoper Kohrs, 38, was arrested 11 hours after a Dodge Charger ran down and seriously injured two pedestrians crossing the street early Sunday morning in a San Francisco neighborhood of popular nightspots.
Police say the driver ditched the car nearby and ran off immediately after the 2:20 a.m. incident. The car is registered to Kohrs, a seven-year veteran who gained social media notoriety for his good looks, friendly demeanor and chiseled body while directing traffic in San Francisco’s predominantly gay Castro neighborhood, police said. A Castro resident created a popular Facebook page in May that included photos of Kohrs, sparking several weeks of online attention for the officer.
Kohrs turned himself in at the department’s headquarters Sunday, police said. He was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and booked into jail, San Francisco Sheriff Department records show. He has since been released, sheriff spokeswoman Kenya Briggs said.
Kohrs didn’t return a call for comment.
Kohrs had been on medical leave for an unspecified ailment prior to the incident, Sgt. Michael Andraychak said. Kohrs will be suspended if he becomes eligible to return to duty while the criminal case is pending, Andraychak said. Kohrs faces dismissal if convicted of a felony.
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