MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – Patton Village's police chief joined the prosecutor from Montgomery County on the front steps of the police station Tuesday to say the death of Sgt. Stacey Allen Baumgartner could have been prevented if suspect, Garrett William Nee, had followed instructions.
Baumgartner was called to a convenience store on a public nuisance complaint. Police said Nee tried to hit Baumgartner in the parking lot and did not want to go to jail.
Chief “Pete” Verot said, "We're here today to say that a tragic incident took place. And for that we're all very sorry."
It all ended six miles later where investigators said Nee ran a red light and Sgt. Baumgartner was T-boned by an SUV as he went through the intersection. He died. So did an 11-year-old little boy named Adan Hilario.
[READ MORE: Patton Village officer, 11-year-old boy killed in police chase crash]
Adan was one of seven people in the SUV. Nee now faces murder, manslaughter and intoxication assault charges. His bond is set at $1.3 million dollars.
Sgt. Baumgartner’s visitation is Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kingwood Funeral Home at 22800 Highway 59. His funeral is at 10 a.m. Friday morning at the Woodlands Church (formerly Fellowship of the Woodlands).
Tarrant and officers from the Patton Village Police Department placed a wreath near a patrol car on the main road into town Monday afternoon. A citizen placed American flags in a half circle around the patrol car.
Larry Kidi, who met Baumgartner after he started as a police officer in 2012, said he will be missed.
Thirty patrol cars from different law enforcement agencies escorted Baumgartner's body from the hospital to the Montgomery County Forensic Services in Conroe.
"It's so bad. He left a 4-year-old daughter, a 20-year-old son and his wife," the officer's brother-in-law, David Addicks, said.
Donations are being accepted to The 100 Club Survivors Fund that provides benefits to the dependents of Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers who lose their life in the line of duty.
Contributions are being accepted at The 100 Club website www.the100club.org and at:
100 Club Survivors Fund
5555 San Felipe Street Suite 1750
Houston TX 77056-5527