Reno Police Department, Nevada
End of Watch: Thursday, September 26, 2002
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 30 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: September 26, 2002
Weapon Used: Automobile; Narcotics involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 5 years
Police Officer Michael Scofield was killed in a motorcycle accident while responding to an accident with injuries at noon.
Officer Scofield and his partner were traveling down Mill Street with their emergency equipment activated when another vehicle pulled out of a parking lot, causing a collision. His partner, who was behind Officer Scofield, was able to stop. Officer Scofield was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries 45 minutes later.
The 25-year-old driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with driving while having an illegal amount of a prohibited substance in her blood after it was determined she had smoked marijuana before the incident. She was convicted of the charges in March 2004 and sentenced to two to 5 years in prison.
Officer Scofield had served with the Reno Police Department for 25 years and had been in law enforcement for 30 years. He was planning on retiring within a year. He is survived by his wife and four children.