Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Thursday, October 20, 2005
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 1123
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: October 20, 2005
Weapon Used: Automobile; Motorcycle
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 50 years
Sergeant Jonathan Dragus was killed in an automobile crash while pursuing a motorcycle.
During the pursuit, the motorcyclist stopped and dropped off a passenger as he fled. As Sergeant Dragus pursued him, a truck pulled into the roadway in front of his patrol car at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Northwest Expressway. Sergeant Dragus swerved to avoid a collision but struck a utility pole and a tree. He was transported to the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later.
The motorcyclist wrecked the motorcycle and fled on foot, approximately one mile past where Sergeant Dragus had crashed. He was located and arrested later in the day. The driver of the truck also left the scene but was later located. On January 26, 2007, the motorcyclist was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated eluding. He was sentenced to a combined 50 years in prison.
Sergeant Dragus had served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. His wife also serves as an Oklahoma City Police Department sergeant in the same division.