Officer escorting Clinton motorcade dies

  

DALLAS, TX 02/22/08 -- A police motorcycle officer died after a crash while escorting Hillary Rodham Clinton's motorcade to a campaign rally.

"We are just heartsick at this loss of life in the line of duty," a subdued Clinton told reporters after the Dallas rally.

The New York senator and Democratic presidential candidate canceled her next appearance in Fort Worth, Texas, telling about 2,000 people who had gathered outside the Tarrant County courthouse that it would be inappropriate to campaign in the wake of the officer's death.

Instead, she went to Methodist Medical Center, where she planned to visit with the officer's family.

"It is important that we respect and appreciate their service," she said. "I certainly am grateful for all they do for me."

Senior Corporal Victor Lozada Tirado died after apparently crashing into a concrete barrier along a viaduct near downtown Dallas, said Lt. Vernon Hale, a police spokesman. Aerial video showed wreckage scattered for several yards.

The officer was in the rear of the motorcade, following it as it took a turn not far from Dealey Plaza, where John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.

Asked if police had enough lead time to plan a safe route, Hale said, "It doesn't matter with our guys. They've been doing this so long. Of course, we already had one tragedy in Dallas."

Lozada joined the Dallas police force in December 1988. He was married with four children, two boys and two girls.

In August 2006, an Albuquerque, N.M., police officer in President Bush's motorcade died in a motorcycle crash. Germaine Casey, 40, died on Aug. 27 when he crashed as Bush returned to the airport after a fundraiser for Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M.

In November 2006, Honolulu police Officer Steve Favela died when he and two other motorcycle officers crashed while part of a presidential motorcade.

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