During a high-speed pursuit, a devoted police officer and devoted mother of six tragically lost her life. Early on Sunday morning, Osage Beach Police Department officer Phylicia Carson, 33, was on duty when the tragedy occurred.
Officer Carson started it all when he saw a car speeding down a country road close to the Lake of the Ozarks. Determined to keep the peace, she turned on her emergency lights and started chasing. But the suspect opted to run away since he had other plans.
Officer Carson’s patrol car veered off the road and struck a tree during the ferocity of the pursuit. She could not get out of the car because the collision was so strong that it caught fire. Tragically, she was killed in the collision.
Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, age 23, was the suspect who continued to elude police until he wrecked and was taken into custody. At this time, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is overseeing a follow-up investigation.
Officer Phylicia Carson, who joined the Osage Beach Police Department in June 2023, was a committed member. Her family, friends, and fellow police are devastated by this unfathomable tragedy. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Grant Carson, and their six kids, who now have to deal with the challenge of living without her.
The community and the entire police force have been profoundly affected by this awful event, which is the first on-duty death in thirty years. Emotionally charged Chief Todd Davis asked everyone to remember and pray for the Carson family, the department, and the community.
Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe posted a touching tribute on X upon the tragic news, expressing his condolences to Officer Carson’s family and fellow police. Officer Phylicia Carson’s sacrifice must be remembered, and those who are still serving and protecting must be supported, the lieutenant governor stressed.
A number of charges have since been brought against the suspect, including resisting arrest, trying to escape, and killing a police officer. While awaiting additional court processes, he is still being held without bond at the Camden County Jail.
Officer Carson’s passing serves as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement personnel encounter on a daily basis while the community grieves his passing. We will never forget her courage, devotion, and passion to ensuring the safety of her neighborhood. I hope she rests in peace.