A pedestrian, a Kansas City, Mo., police officer, and his canine partner are dead following a crash near Truman Road and Benton Boulevard on February 15.
Just after 10:15 p.m. a police canine officer and his canine partner were on duty and on patrol in the area of Truman Road and Benton Boulevard when their patrol car was struck by another vehicle. The collision caused a secondary impact with a pedestrian.
The pedestrian, identified as 52-year-old Jesse Eckes, was declared deceased at the scene.
Eckes was a client at Hope Faith Homeless Assistance Campus at 705 Virginia Ave. The organization, a daytime shelter that provides food, resources and jobs, as well as temporary emergency overnight shelter, shared a message on Facebook on February 23.
“A guest of Hope Faith, Jesse Eckes, unfortunately, lost his life from a senseless and reckless incident that also killed a KCPD officer and his K9,” the message reads. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jesse, a man who had so much light to give to anyone who needed it. We are praying for his friends and family.”
On March 3 at 10 a.m., Hope Faith will be hosting his memorial service.
His family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hope Faith. Those who wish to support the organization in Eckes’ memory can donate by going to www.hopefaith.org/donate.
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