OAKLAND COUNTY, MI (WXYZ) -- The Oakland County Sheriff's deputy who was struck and killed while trying to stop a police chase on Thanksgiving morning was a father and 22-year veteran of the department, according to the sheriff's office.
"Here we have Thanksgiving Day and a family that will never be the same," said Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
The deputy has been identified as 50-year-old Eric Overall. The sheriff's office says he was recently married and has one adult son.
The Lapeer County Sheriff's Office says the pursuit started when the suspect made threats that posed an imminent risk to the public in the parking lot of the county jail. The chase went from Lapeer County and continued west on I-69 to southbound M-15 and then entered Oakland County into Brandon Township.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says Overall was just assisting with the chase when he was killed around 12:30 a.m.
Overall had already deployed stop sticks at the intersection of M-15 and Seymour Lake Road and was off of the road when he was struck by the suspect, according to the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office says in a press release that evidence suggests the suspect "deliberately ran down" Overall, swerving to hit him.
The sheriff's office says the suspect's vehicle rolled over and the man, reportedly in his 20s from Macomb Township, was taken into custody at the scene.
Overall was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Bouchard said he was very beloved and many visited at the hospital early this morning.
"He did a lot of good -- not just in the community, but for family and friends," said Bouchard.
Overall was the former liaison officer at Walled Lake Central High School. The district released the following statement after being notified of his passing:
"Walled Lake Schools is grateful for many years of service from Deputy Overall. He was a courageous and selfless police officer. Our sympathies go out to his family."
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Overall's family during this difficult time. You can donate here.
