MADISON COUNTY, Tenn (September 30, 2015) – The Madison County Sheriff’s Department is mourning the loss of one of their own.
The flag in front of the Madison County Sheriff’s Offices flies at half-staff to honor Deputy Rosemary Vela.
Sheriff’s Department Deputy Rosemary Vela, 24, died while on duty when her car crashed on U.S. 70 West in Huntersville early Tuesday morning.
Sheriff’s spokesman Tom Mapes said single car accident occurred around 12:30 a.m during heavy rainfall.
Law Enforcement began looking for Deputy Vela after she was not responding over the radio. Searchers were able to ping her location proximity and began search and rescue in that area.
According to Madison County Sheriff John Mehr, Vela was responding to a call for back-up and then was told to disregard the call. Mehr said sometime during that time period is when the accident happened.
According to Mapes, weather was a factor in Monday night’s driving conditions. Investigators believe after veering off Highway 70 West near Huntersville her cruiser went down an embankment, across a creek and crashed into a tree. Sheriffs deputies found Vela’s car after tracking her cell phone.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Vela is the first Madison County deputy to be killed in the line of duty since 1991. She is the third line-of-duty death in Tennessee this year, and the 96th officer line-of-duty death this year nationally, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Mehr said, “We’re in sorrow at this time in the department,”. Mehr described Vela as, driven, motivated, someone who really wanted to do a good job. Mehr said she was well thought of in the community and among fellow officers.
Rosemary Vela is survived by her 5-year-old son, mother, father, sister and brother, Mapes said. A memorial fund has been set up in her name at the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.
Donations to the Rosemary Vela Memorial Fund can be sent to The Foundation, 620 Skyline Drive, Jackson, TN 38301.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The U.S. Honor Flag, that travels around the country honoring officers killed in the line of duty, is expected to arrive in Madison County on Tuesday night.
