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Accident Victim's Son Defends Police Chief

An ad in Sunday's Watertown Daily Times holds some big emotions.

Titled "In Memory of Shirley Hammond", Wayne Fleming thanks friends and family for paying their respects to his sister, who died October 3.

The ad goes on to say, "She was the victim of a reckless, high speed chase by law enforcement and we are offended by Chief Larry Jobson's decision to lead the funeral procession to the cemetery and to attend the wake in Brownville afterward."

We spoke with Fleming on Monday about the ad.

"I think what brought about all my bad feelings about this were the recklessness and the sheer disregard for the safety of anyone on the streets of that busy Route 12," said Wayne Fleming.

Shirley Hammond (pictured above) was killed when her car was hit by Terry Morgia. 

Morgia was fleeing Glen Park Police Chief Larry Jobson in a high-speed chase. 

Jobson was pursing Morgia after he allegedly snatched a woman's purse outside Kohl's department store in Watertown. 

7 News was unable to get in touch with Chief Jobson.

We did speak to someone at his residence, who said that the chief would not comment on this matter before hanging up. 

Glen Park Village Trustee Howard Ganter tells 7 News that it's his understanding that Chief Jobson was invited to the funeral by another family member.

Fleming says some family members do disagree with the ad and its sentiment. 

Shirley Hammond's adoptive son is a Watertown police officer, but Fleming says there's a lesson to be learned for all law enforcement.

"There should be consequences to the actions and the judgment that Jobson used in this case.  I think it absolutely should be investigated," said Fleming.

A grand jury did look into the case and indicted Terry Morgia on murder charges.

The indictment said nothing about Jobson's conduct. 

Despite the ad and Fleming's feelings, state police say Morgia is the person responsible for Hammond's death, not Chief Jobson.

At least one family member agrees with that.

Jeffrey Hammond, who is Shirley Hammond's son and Wayne Hammond's nephew, was injured in the crash that killed his aunt.

He says his uncle does not speak for him or other members of the family. He says he asked Jobson to lead the funeral procession and to attend the wake that followed.

Hammond said he and other members of the family do not blame Jobson.

"We consider him a friend of the family and a very good police officer," Hammond said.

Hammond said Morgia is to blame, not the police. "All the police that responded to this chase were acting in the most professional manner."

He said that Morgia is a repeat violent offender who should spend the rest of his life in prison so that no one else is hurt or killed.

See our earlier report.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
, Watertown, NY

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