Suffolk County buries 2 police officers

2009-06-25 14:51:36 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Auto Accident, Justice News Flash)

Suffolk County flags at half mast after 2 police officers die in car crashes

Suffolk County law enforcement agencies lose 2 officers to fatal car crashes.

New York, NY(JusticeNewsFlash.com)–Two Suffolk police departments lost officers in two unrelated car crashes that occurred thirteen hours apart. Flags at both Suffolk police departments flew at half-staff, remembering the fallen officers, as reported by Newsday.

The officers, who were both former U.S. military personnel, were identified as Robert Bowen, 34, of Ronkonkoma, a seven-year officer with the Suffolk County Police Department and an Iraq war veteran; and Richard Kappel, 40, of Speonk, an eight-year veteran of the Quogue Village Police Department, and a former Air National Guard.

According to Suffolk County Police Department reports, Bowen was traveling eastbound on the Long Island Expressway to meet his brother in Port Jefferson, when his 1994 BMW lost control. The BMW reportedly slammed into the rear of a 2002 Ford Explorer causing the SUV to hit a guardrail and flip. Bowen was pronounced dead at the scene by Suffolk County emergency medical service (EMS) crews, and it is unknown whether the driver of the Explorer suffered any injuries. Accident reconstruction teams are still trying to determine the cause of the fatal automobile accident.

Southampton Police are stating Richard Kappel, was driving a 2002 Ferrari with his wife’s cousin, Christian Gomez, when the fatal accident occurred. The two men were reportedly traveling northbound on Speonk Riverhead Road when they struck a tree, killing both Kappel and Gomez. The two family members were pronounced dead at the scene. Southampton police investigators said the investigation is still ongoing, but they believe excessive speeds played a factor in the fatal collision.

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