WPD chief, Sedgwick County sheriff remember officer killed in motorcycle crash

UPDATE Monday, April 30:

In a career that included service on the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, Officer Stacy Woodson earned a reputation for strong leadership and selflessness, his former bosses say.

Woodson's career included 16 years with the WPD.

"He was known for going out of his way to help citizens and officers alike," WPD Chief Gordon Ramsay says.

Woodson was a member of the Critical Accident Team as well as the mounted unit. Most recently, he was assigned to the Police Motorcycle Unit.

"This was a dream for him cone true and he had told many people that was one of the reasons he came to the Wichita Police Department when he started was because of the motorcycle unit," Ramsay says.

Woodson earned several awards with his time at the Wichita Police Department, including a Bronze Wreath of Valor and a lifesaving award for performing CPR in an emergency situation.

Ramsay says Woodson was the kind of man in which others could rely to get things done.

"I think it brings a lot of feelings out for officers," the chief says of Woodson's death. "We deal with these kinds of things all the time, but when it's someone that's very close, it hits harder."

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter says Woodson's brother is a lieutenant for his department.

He says though Friday night's crash hit law enforcement hard, it's Woodson's family that needs the support right now. Woodson's nine-year-old son, Braeden also died in the crash.

"The concern is more with Stacy's immediate family, his wife and daughter are very good people and this has been a tragedy to lose half your family in one incident is never easy," Easter says.

In lieu of flowers and cards, the family has asked that donations for the family be made in Stacy’s name to:

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UPDATE: Sunday 9 p.m.

The son of an off-duty Wichita Police officer, who died after being struck while riding his motorcycle, has died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Sedgwick County deputies say, Stacy Woodson, a 16-year veteran of the Wichita Police Department, was riding his motorcycle with his 10-year-old son, Braeden Woodson when it was hit.

Stacy's brother, Jeremy, remembers his brother as kind and hardworking.

"No matter what he was helpful," said Jeremy. "He was that good cop that everyone dreamed they had that would help anybody and do anything and do the right thing."

Jeremy said they were on their way home when the accident happened.

"Stacy and Braeden were actually returning home from dropping off food for a fellow police officer who had recently been injured in a motorcycle accident," said Jeremy.

He remembers the father and son as inseparable. Jeremy said Stacy loved his family and inspired those around him.

The crash happened around 8:15 p.m. Friday night near 21st and 167th Street West, west of Wichita.

Sedgwick County deputies arrested 35-year-old James Dalrymple on suspicion of driving drunk in connection with the deadly crash.

He was booked into the Sedgwick County jail on charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and DUI charges at around 2:00 a.m. on Saturday.

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UPDATE: Saturday 9:30 p.m.

A man suspected of driving drunk is in jail, booked on involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and DUI charges.

Authorities say he was driving a pickup that pulled out in front of off-duty police officer Stacy Woodson, who was riding a motorcycle with his ten-year-old son.

Woodson died at the scene. His son remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Police arrested James Dalrymple a few hours after the crash.

Investigators were back out at the intersection where the crash happened. Earlier today, there was a cross up with a blue ribbon on it in honor of the officer.

Eyewitness News talked with fellow officers and neighbors who say Woodson was an amazing person. He would help anyone when they needed it.

A woman, who is a former nurse, stopped at the scene before first responders got there. She said there were already two other nurses there trying to help.

"There were two ladies there with the gentlemen, one was doing compressions and the other one was standing there beside her. They looked at me and said we don't have a pulse but they didn't stop they continued," says Kelly Edwards.

Woodson's co-workers say he had a huge heart and they are all praying for his son.

The Kansas Highway Patrol was back out at the scene Saturday evening trying to recreate it at the same time of day it happened.

Troopers tell us they're using video and other tools to do the recreation.

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UPDATE: The Wichita Police Department released the name of the officer involved in a deadly accident Friday night.

According to public information officer Charley Davidson, the off-duty officer who was struck and killed while riding his motorcycle Friday was Stacy Woodson, 37.

Woodson is a 16-year veteran of the Wichita Police Department.

“He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and WPD family,” WPD Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “Our thoughts and prayers continue for Stacy’s family, friends, and others affected by this tragedy.”

Woodson's 9-year-old son was also on the motorcycle when the crash occurred. He remains in critical condition at a local hospital.

In lieu of flowers and cards, please send donations for the family in Stacy’s name to:

The Honore Adversis Foundation

477 N. Seneca St.

Wichita, KS 67203

http://www.thin-blue-line.org/

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UPDATE: A man is arrested in connection with a motorcycle crash that left an off-duty Wichita Police officer dead, and his son hospitalized.

According to jail booking records, 35-year-old James Dalrymple was booked on involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and DUI charges at around 2:00 Saturday morning.

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Wichita Police say the man killed in this crash was an off-duty Wichita Police officer. His name has not been released.

“The WPD family is greatly saddened by this tragic news,” WPD Chief Gordon Ramsay said in a press release early Saturday. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Officer’s family and those affected by this awful accident.”

Police say the man's 9-year-old son, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

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A man is dead and a 9-year-old child is in "very critical condition' at a Wichita hospital after a crash involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle near 21st and 167th Street West, west of Wichita.

It happened about 8:15 Friday night.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter says the man killed in the crash is in his mid 30's. That man was driving the motorcycle. The child injured was a passenger on the motorcycle.

Easter says the motorcycle was traveling on 21st Street and the truck was southbound on 167th when it turned in front of the motorcycle. The motorcycle then collided with the truck, Easter says.

The motorcycle's driver died on the scene, Easter says. The driver of the pickup was not hurt.