Sergeant Alfred J. Descher

Alfred J. Descher

Sergeant Alfred Descher was struck and killed by a semitrailer at the scene of an accident on Illinois Route 3, approximately one mile south of the Columbia city limits at about 3:10 am.

He had responded to the accident, checked for injuries, and then waited for the Illinois State Police who were responding to the accident.

As Sergeant Descher spoke with one of the responding officers, a semitrailer traveling on the road jack-knifed, and struck both Sergeant Descher and the Illinois State Police squad car. Sergeant Descher was killed instantly and the state police officer suffered minor injuries. No charges were filed against the driver of the truck.

Sergeant Descher had served with the Columbia Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife, four daughters, and three sons.