Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Video: Louisiana Officer Struck and Killed by Impaired Driver

A Sterlington (LA) Police Department officer was struck and killed and two other officers were injured during a traffic stop Sunday.

July 4, 2016
Video: Louisiana Officer Struck and Killed by Impaired Driver

 

2 min to read


Ad Loading...

A Sterlington (LA) Police Department officer was struck and killed and two other officers were injured during a traffic stop Sunday, reports KNOE.

Louisiana State Police have issued the following release in regard to this incident:

"One Sterlington Police Officer was killed and two others injured this morning after an impaired driver struck one of their police cars.

Shortly before 5:00 a.m. on July 3, 2016, Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a fatality crash on US Highway 165 approximately 2 miles south of Louisiana Highway 134 that involved a Sterlington Police Officer.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed three Sterlington Police Officers were conducting a traffic stop on the southbound shoulder of US Hwy 165. Officer David Elahi was standing between the fog line and the rear of his vehicle interviewing a subject when he was struck by a 2014 GMC Sierra driven by 44-year-old Tracy Govan of Monroe, LA. Due to Govan being impaired his vehicle crossed the fog line striking Elahi and two other Officers who were also on scene.

Ad Loading...

Officer Elahi was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office. The other two officers involved were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

At the time of the crash Govan was determined to be impaired. Govan was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injury, improper lane usage and failure to move over for emergency vehicle on the shoulder.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Elahi’s family and the Sterlington Police Department during this time of grief,' said Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson. 'This is a tragedy that could have been avoided.'

This is the second incident in the past two days on Louisiana highways involving a law enforcement officer being struck. A Louisiana State Trooper was struck on I-55 on Friday and suffered injuries while directing traffic around a stalled vehicle."

Sterlington Police Chief Barry Bonner says the memorial services for Sgt. David Elahi will be held Thursday at 2 P.M. at North Monroe Baptist Church. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 to 7 P.M.

Ad Loading...

Sgt. Elahi is survived by his child and fiancee.

More Patrol

Police officer in a darkened hallway holding a flashlight and headline 5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights, and POLICE logo.
PatrolApril 16, 2026

5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights

Whether it’s time to buy a personal patrol light or make the decision for the next department-issued patrol light, what do you need to know? How do you weigh the different variables and make the best choice?

Read More →
Group of men and women seated in a circle around a room as one woman stands and leads discussion.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Warriors Heart’s Mission to Serve America’s Veterans and First Responders

Warriors Heart works closely with federal and community partners to expand treatment options for veterans and first responders. By combining specialized clinical care with a peer-driven recovery environment, the program helps warriors rebuild strength, restore relationships, and rediscover purpose.

Read More →
Black background with police card lights and logo for POLICE, with headline in yellow: How are LE Boots Different for Women
Patrolby Wayne ParhamApril 9, 2026

How are LE Boots Different for Women?

Boots fit differently for men and women, so how are law enforcement boots for women designed differently from those worn by men? In this video, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, shares all the details.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man standing in desert talking on radio.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Motorola Solutions Extends Resilient, Mission-Critical Communications and AI with T-Satellite from T-Mobile

A collaboration between Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile helps deliver uninterrupted situational awareness and access to AI wherever the mission leads, enabled by satellite connectivity for Motorola Solutions' APX NEXT smart radios.

Read More →
Las Vegas skyline at dusk with headline 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit, dates for the event, and diagonally at bottom right words Registration Open.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Registration Now Open for 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit

Registration is now open for the 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit. The Summit is an opportunity to connect with local and federal leaders, specifically the FirstNet Authority, which is hosting a track at the event this year.

Read More →
Two chest rig packs in camo in front of a blue themed SWAT background and a logo for Tasmanian Tiger.
PatrolApril 6, 2026

Tasmanian Tiger Launches Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 & Modular Chest Rig Pack for LE

Tasmanian Tiger has expanded its Modular Load-Carrying System with the new Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 and Modular Chest Rig Pack. Both provide adaptable, low-profile load options for military, law enforcement, and SWAT missions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Security worker watching computer monitors, with a white area at top with a logo for ZeroEyes.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

ZeroEyes Expands from AI Gun Detection to Knife Detection & Suspect Tracking

ZeroEyes has launched three new product categories to extend beyond firearms to address additional acute safety threats and basic security needs. Knife detection and suspect tracking are now also available.

Read More →
GALLS logo against a white box set atop a blue-tinted map of Tennessee.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

GALLS Acquires CMS Uniforms

GALLS has acquired CMS Uniforms and Equipment, Inc., a prominent regional provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. CMS Uniforms, founded in 2000, has built a reputation for delivering stellar customer service and managing complex uniform programs for more than 670 accounts.

Read More →
Police drone hovering over its charging nest against a blue sky background.
PatrolMarch 26, 2026

Brinc Unveils Guardian, Launching the Next Era of Drone as First Responder

Brinc’s new Guardian delivers 24/7 operations, Starlink connectivity, and a robotic charging nest that can swap batteries and change payload configurations without human intervention.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
image of trooper, shown from waist down, standing beside a police cruiser along the road and at right a headline Slow Down Move Over.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis

The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.

Read More →