COLUMBIA, Mo. – A Miller County Sheriff’s Deputy was killed Friday night while responding to a scene.
Missouri State Highway Patrol said 26-year-old Casey Shoemate was heading southbound on Route Y with his emergency lights and sirens activated. Officials said he passed a fire truck in a no passing zone when he struck a car heading northbound head-on.
The driver of the car that the officer struck was 65-year-old Bob Levin. He’s a pastor at North County Community Church in Hazelwood.
His co-pastor, Mark Brauss, told 5 On Your Side Levin was severely injured and will need to remain in the hospital for weeks and then will undergo months of physical therapy.
Levin was heading to meet his wife and two sons when he was hit.
“It’s a traumatic event,” said Brauss.
Brauss and Levin started the church in 1982. They’ve helped refugees in St. Louis and have helped build churched around the world.
“He’s got a great heart,” said Brauss.
As of Saturday, Levin was still unaware that the officer died in the crash.
His doctors and family thought they should wait to tell him.
Brauss said this tragic event is a reminder of how precious life is.
“Live every moment. You never know when life changes in a flash,” he said.
