42 year old Laguna Beach Motor Officer Jon Coutchie was tragically killed in a collision at the intersection of South Coast Highway at Cleo Street.
Jon was born in Tucson, Arizona on October 2, 1971 and raised in Orange County where he graduated from Laguna Hills High School in 1989.
After the September 11th terrorist attacks, Jon enlisted in the military and became a U.S. Army Ranger. He served his country from 2003-2007 and completed tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, Jon applied for a part-time jailer position at the Laguna Beach Police Department.
He quickly showed great enthusiasm for his job and excelled with each assignment. Seeing his great potential, the Police Department sponsored him through the Goldenwest Police Academy in 2008. Jon successfully completed this training in March of 2009 and was immediately sworn in as a Laguna Beach Police Officer.
Jon showed a passion for traffic issues and displayed an early expertise in accident investigation. Following this interest, Jon applied and was selected for one of the coveted Motor Officer positions in March of 2013.
On the evening of Jon’s death, he was traveling northbound on Coast Highway in an attempt to locate a vehicle which had eluded another officer. While looking for the speeding vehicle, Jon was involved in a collision with a Chevrolet pickup truck in the intersection with Cleo Street.
After the arriving officers saw that Jon had succumbed to his injuries, one of them ran into a local Ralph’s Market and grabbed an American Flag. Jon’s body was draped in that American Flag as an honor to his sacrifice as an Army Ranger and Laguna Beach Police Officer.
"We will forever miss and love Jon here at the Police Department and will grieve along with the citizens of this community." His department is quoted as saying.
Jon is survived by his mother, father, brother, step-sister and loving girlfriend.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. There will be no accompany on this mission.
Time table for Friday, 27 SEP 13: 0815 - Stage Mariners Church 5001 Newport Coast Dr, Irvine, CA
http://goo.gl/maps/DjuZC 0830 - Mission Briefing
0845 - Move into position for Flag line as Hero and Family arrive at the Church
R/C Dave "Scooter" HobinSr. Ride Captain PGR
dhobin@socal.rr.com
949-791-6013
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember to post your condolences for the family on this link:
http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/11/postid/2150414/view/topic/Default.aspx
