Former Inmate Remembers Fallen Modesto Police Sergeant
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto wrongful death attorney. A police sergeant from the Modesto Police Department had a significant influence on the recovery of a local man. The man, unfortunately, was never able to thank the officer for the influence he had on his life due to an unforeseen fatal bicycle accident.
Former Inmate Influenced by Peace Officer
David Luque, a 30-year-old local of Modesto, was facing a hardship in his life. He was arrested several times and faced five convictions between 2008 to 2014 on charges including possession of narcotics, forgery, theft and burglary. However, his last arrest by a local authority changed his life forever.
Peace Officer Was Respectful and Professional
Modesto Police Officer Michael Pershall responded to a call of a burglary suspect in 2014. The suspect, evidently, turned out to be David Luque. Luque attempted to evade Officer Pershall, however, he was eventually caught and detained. Luque admitted to being frustrated with Officer Pershall, allegedly using profanity against the peace officer. Officer Pershall made an influence on Luque by returning a respectful and professional conversation.
Pershall Stood Out Amongst Modesto Peace Officers
David Luque recalls his conversation with Sergeant Pershall, who was an officer at the time of his 2014 arrest. Officer Pershall stood out to Luque from all the other officers that previously detained him in the past. Luque remembers Officer Pershall for his caring and sympathetic character. He had felt that the officer treated him as a “human being rather than a piece of scum”. Luque was questioned by the officer for the motive of his actions and what had happened in his life to commit such dealings.
The brief encounter with the officer impacted the troubled man. The same questions were also asked by Luque’s family and friends, however, Luque was never moved by them. Luque claims that the meaningful conversation with Officer Pershall meant something else to him.
After Luque admitted to his committed crimes, he was sentenced to time behind bars. During his prison stay, he realized that this lifestyle was not meant for him. He began surrounding himself around healthy influences in prison. Although he was addicted to crystal meth and heroin for approximately 10 years, he was nearly clean for 2 years in prison.
Recovery Program
After Luque was released from prison, he hit the streets and wanted to see if his addiction was still present. After he received his fix one time, he decided that he no longer wanted it. He informed his parole officer that he wanted to be enlisted in a recovery program.
Luque enrolled in a 12-step recovery program to better himself and secure his future. Luque is a full-time student at the Modesto Junior College, with 29 units left to obtain his associate’s degree in human services. With the help of his aunt and uncle along with his niece and two nephews, he is on the right path towards becoming a chemical dependency counselor.
Luque intended to contact Officer Pershall to thank him for treating him with kindness and care at the time of his 2014 arrest. His plan was to visit the police station to express his gratitude towards the peace officer. Sadly, Luque was never given the opportunity to do so due to a devastating bicycle accident that claimed the life of his influencer.
Bicycle Accident Fatally Injures Modesto Police Sergeant
A recent bicycle accident occurred on August 22, 2017. Sergeant Michael Pershall, was riding his bicycle westbound along the north edge of Merle Avenue. At the same time, a 32-year-old Modesto man was driving a Volkswagen coupe in the same direction and struck the rear of Pershall’s bicycle. The impact of the collision ejected Pershall off his bicycle. The Volkswagen continued onto the north curb, collided with a fire hydrant and came to a rest along the north shoulder of the roadway.
Emergency personnel immediately responded to the scene of the bicycle accident. When they arrived, they located the injured sergeant lying in one of the westbound lanes. The sergeant was, unfortunately, pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities were dispatched to the area. They located the suspect’s vehicle west of the collision scene. The alleged hit-and-run motorist of the Volkswagen, identified as Matthew Gibbs, was detained by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on multiple charges and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail. He is allegedly facing a homicide charge and two charges pertaining to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causing great bodily injury.
We would like to extend our deepest thoughts and condolences to the loved ones of Sergeant Pershall who lost his life in this devastating bicycle accident.
Watch YouTube Video – By: Modesto Bee
The following video demonstrates the tribute of beloved Modesto Police Sergeant, Mike Pershall. A candlelight vigil was held by the local community and loved ones of the fallen sergeant. Pershall preserved and protected his local community as a police sergeant. His efforts and devoted character will never be forgotten in the hearts of those who he influenced and loved.
Modesto Police Officers’ Association Donation Page
The Modesto Police Officers’ Association has created a donation page to cover the memorial expenses of Sergeant Mike Pershall. Authorities indicated that this is the verified page to submit direct donations to benefit Pershall’s memorial services.
Modesto Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Edward Smith, a Modesto wrongful death lawyer. If your family has suffered a tragedy due to a wrongful death caused by a negligent party, my thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Please contact me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. When you are ready to take the time to reach out to me, we can discuss the details of your loss and see how best to proceed.
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Content Attribution:
- http://www.modbee.com/news/article169176707.html
- http://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article168823832.html
Image Attribution: By StockSnap via Pixabay
Final Photograph: Image of Modesto Personal Injury Lawyer, Edward A Smith
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