DEC 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 12

AROUND THE COUNTRY GRAND

AROUND THE COUNTRY GRAND PRAIRIE, TX Texas officer dies in vehicle crash while pursuing car with fake tags. By Michael Williams GRAND PRAIRIE, TX ‐ Grand Prairie Police Officer Brandon Tsai, was killed in a single-car crash Monday November 14th after attempting to stop a car that had a fake paper license plate. Tsai. 32, was killed after his car struck a light pole, according to Grand Prairie Police. Around 10:45 p.m., Tsai noticed a car with fake tags near the intersection of Southwest 3rd Street and Pioneer Parkway, in Grand Prairie. “Officer Tsai attempted to stop the vehicle which immediately fled,” police spokesman Mark Beseda said in a statement. “During the pursuit, Officer Tsai lost control of his squad car causing it to strike a light pole.” Tsai was taken by firefighters to Methodist Dallas Medical Center, where he died, Beseda said. He had worked for the Grand Prairie Police Department since January. He previously worked at the Los Angeles Police Department in California for five years, authorities said. “He was a loving friend, a trusted colleague and an outstanding officer whose passion was providing service to the public,” Beseda said in the statement. The crash remains under investigation. Tsai’s funeral service was held on Monday, November 21st in Grand Prairie. Mrs. Tsai, you did an outstanding job raising Brandon,” an emotional Chief Daniel Scesney told Tsai’s mother in front of the crowd. Scesney revealed the fallen officer loved camping, shooting and driving. “Fast cars, classic cars, unique cars,” he added. A handful of Tsai’s favorites were parked in front of Gateway Church during the funeral service in his honor. Tsai also loved food. Street tacos, Texas barbeque, sushi, dim sum, just to name a few. “Most of us would bring one lunch... Brandon would bring three,” joked friend and fellow officer Ilan Marhasin. Tsai’s sister, Staci Tsai, addressed his fellow officers from the stage. “Please take care of yourselves,” Staci said in tears. “Be safe and remember to always tell the people that you love that you love them. Every day.” Tsai’s girlfriend and her 7-yearold daughter also attended services Monday. Tsai was helping raise the young girl, Scesny said. “Kinsley would paint his fingernails,” Scesny remembered fondly. “He’d even take a spin in Kinsley’s pink electric four-wheeler around the block.” OFFFICER BRANDON TSAI Scesney also told the crowd Tsai spent Thanksgiving volunteering at homeless shelters, and revealed he saved a suicidal man’s life last month when he talked him out of jumping off a bridge. Tsai was laid to rest with the honors he deserved, Scesney said. That included the presentation of the colors, a 21-gun salute, taps, a flyover, folding of the flag, bagpipes, the ‘’riderless horse” and final radio call. Hundreds of Texas police officers from departments as far as Lubbock and Corpus Christi were in attendance as well. “Officer Brandon Tsai has now been officially sworn in to protect the streets of heaven,” remarked Scesney. 14 The BLUES The BLUES 15