Interesting... I would like to see reference to the law refered to by officer Greg Williams that exempts officers from wearing seat belts while driving.  I would also like to see the Bpd and KCSD written procedure concerning the wearing of seat belts.

This is sad that we loose a law officer in this manner

dbiker, it's in the California Vehicle Code, section 27315(g). There are other times certain people don't have to wear seatbelts too, like when delivering newspapers and mail, and collecting trash.

And now taxpayers have to support this guy's family due to him not wearing his seat belt. Sounds like Kern County.

Hey idiot.. I guess you can't comprehend that no matter if he had or had not been wearing a seatbelt he would have never survived... What part of that did you miss?

I would like to see some of you get out of a car in a split second in a stress situation with your seatbelt on...

Hey kcsd, go easy on soltini. He/she doesn't post often, but those posts that they have made, not one has ever been even semi-intelligent...

"And now taxpayers have to support this guy's family due to him not wearing his seat belt. Sounds like Kern County."   - soltini 4:45

It has clearly been established on this blog and others why law enforcement is exempt from wearing a seatbelt at all times, so I won't bother to go there.

Why are people so worked up about cops not wearing seatbelts? Do children wear seatbelts riding the bus to school? Do people riding mass transit (including GET) wear seatbelts? No.

Accidents happen, unfortunately, and our litigious culture coupled with a dash of socialism and insurance lobbyists has created a no-win situation for everyone involved. Do you have a personal experience coloring this particular story?

I'm disgusted that such a comment would be made about a man serving his community. 

By the way, what exactly does Kern County "sound like"?

 I'm disgusted that such a comment would be made about a man serving his community

I totally agree. soltini, you have no decency whatsoever. Why don't you post your name and address so the cops can skip helping your sorry a$$.

I have worked literally hundreds of vehicle accidents and if there was four  feet of penetration the seat belt could have actually increased his chances of dying.  I know there are few circumstances where being buckled in is less safe but I think this may have been one.  His death while serving the public should be honored and we should give thanks to those that have the skills and desire to do that job.  {edit}

wahoo soltini..you bit off a hunk here..I bet your feelin like a real jerk about now huh..ur lucky we live in the times we do cause a statement like that coulda gotten you a dip in the old tar tub and ran outta town..People disrespecting a deceased... honored public servant and his family just SUCK..

Does it matter in this case ? May the thief enjoy his candy bar or beer. 

 Sooooooooo low-life...

I'm sure you will be the first one to bitch the law enforcement officer couldn't get out of the car fast enough too!

Go ahead, criticize a dead man just because you can.  Just another not-so-fine example of just how low our society has fallen and you are a perfect example of why it has fallen so far and so fast.

Curt I did not mean it that why! I am sure that THE THIEF was pleased of the idea that HE got away. Who or if any one should had have on a seat belt is inrevelent. Just as the 18 year girl RAN A RED LIGHT!! that Killed a Cyclist. There ACTS KILLED SOMEONE.

 Luz,

My comment was directed at the poster (s)  criticizing the deputy and the department policy. Not you. Sorry, I usually am not so general in my comments.

Luz, this is the second post you have screamed about the young gal running the red light and killing the cyclist. It was an accident for petes sake. And please look up the correct use of there and their. 

I agree..any reference to this guy not using his lights, sirens, and seatbelt are entirely a personal mistake that these officers "rarely" make..he made a mistake, and paid the ultimate price..so yeah, soltini is way out of line even in my book..lol...

Blue,

thank you for the reference to the vehicle code... that one makes sense..do you have reference to the cell phone thing we were discussing prior? or maybe their right to use emergency lights/sirens to cross red lights? oh yeah, would you like a cheeseburger or hamburger happy meal?

Vanity, I along with others can understan the time that taking a seatbelt off can waste while in the heat of the hunt..but how about everyday driving the beat? Ok, so the "gang banger" or whatever is in season that day is on the move, the chase starts, and poof..one second to unlatch that constricting seatbelt, free to move about as the need arises..and that officer's chance of dying in an auto accident is lessened..PLUS, he has upheld the law he was hired to enforce.

one more thing by the way, Blue..

you don't ACCIDENTALY run a red light, just like a person wouldn't ACCIDENTALY  load the clip, point it at someone, and pull the trigger

I've met someone who is alive today because he didn't have his seat belt on and I've then there's my sister, who is alive today because she was wearing her seat belt. I think all cops should buckle up, just like i think cops should give you a warning your first time being pulled over... Never the less, cops are human beings, and just like all human beings, we make mistakes - even if that mistake is the loss of a life...

Regarding the Department's comment , seatbelts would not have made the difference", I think they are just blowing smoke.  With all due respect to Deputy Throne,and may he truly rest in peace, he should of had a seat belt on.  Remember that is the law.  I think their excuse is just another example of how the truth is sometimes muzzled to protect officers.  Unless the Coroner Investigators said that a seatbelt in this case would have been discretionary, and the officer would have died anyway, the Department should stick to law enforcement not  be so quick to protect the reputation of a fallen officer.  I want the family to know we will continue to pray for them and any comments made are not  a reflection for the love we have for their love one who everyday risks their lives for us.

Larcenia -- if Deputy Throne was in the  "hunt" mode with spotlight on looking for suspect running, having seat belt off is a good thing. Have you ever fumbled for seat belt release when having to get out of vehicle in a hurry with adrenaline pumping?

That's why the part of the vehicle code that OB referenced for you. It must have passed over cranium or you have never been in that exigent circumstance.......

Obviously, the penetration of Swanson's car into Throne's is now a matter or record and beat to death on here. People like Curt and Anglo know -- he would not have survived had he had thirteen seat belts on........

You say the Dept should not be so quick to protect the reputation of a fallen officer.....

I would ask this

Why are you so quick to infer the negative? Because whether you realize it or not, that is precisely what you are doing. You obviously have never been in the  "hunt" mode looking for a suspect, focused on catching him, seat belt off so you can jump out for foot chase.........

Why not give the benefit of the doubt to the dead officer? Why do we immediately assume he did something wrong (even if seat belt were off) and not look deeper into the exigent circumstances of the situation and recognize that ----

Somethings just go wrong in war....... and this is a war...... trust me on that.....

Chico, I like your "hunt mode" against Americans. Hunting Americans has just started and isn't it wonderful? Americans are criminals who deserve to be hunted.

Crucifixions are next?

I'm not gonna continue the rant about law enforcement not wearing seat belts! Its been argued back and forth, my compliant is why do they ONLY enforce seat belt laws After one of their own is seriously injured or dies? Everyone has seen BPD & Sheriff's cruising around w/o seat belts on big deal? and there have been times when you've passed one w/o yours on and wondered If they saw you or Why they haven't given you a ticket outright?

My other complaint is why was I given a ticket? 2 days after this accident I was working (I'm a UPS driver) and 1 block away from one of my deliveries CHP gave me a ticket for not wearing my belt? Many UPS, FedEx & DHL drivers don't wear their seat belts cause we're in & out of our vehicles so much, it slows us down while we're already on a tight schedule. all day in & out so many of us don't wear them, yet no law enforcement gives us tickets because its understood. But as Soon as they get into a violent wreck everybody else suffers.

oldblue oldblue oldblue ,  the facts are a cyclist is dead because someone was not paying attention . and the sad reality is an officer is dead also . and some would argue that he was not paying attention either. it is very sad and i am sorry for his familys loss but how can he look for a criminal when he cannot see another car coming at him. did he run a stopsign into the path of another officer? or did he not even think to look both ways before pulling out? either way something went wrong . but just because he is wearing a badge does not make his life any more important than the guy who was ran over by the 18 yr old who was not paying attention either.

It is sad that this officer had to lose his life, but if the general public is being forced to wear their seatbelts why wouldnt the people that are charged with uphoding the law doin it. It doesxnt make sence that it takes this tragic event to awake the public of how the importance the seatbelt laws are.

lixalox - some game just ain't worth huntin

No pelt or food value,  no trophy rack value........

You sound like you may just fall into that category

Unless, of course, you break the law and need to be hunted down

Then you have  "depredation"  value.... IOW a pest that needs to be eliminated

My thought is this, and please correct me if I'm wrong, or have misunderstood the facts. However, my understanding is/was the deputy did not clear cross traffic before making his turnout. If this is the correct interpretation, the debate about wearing his seat belt is irrelevant. And if he did not clear traffic, then that was what got him killed, not the seat belt, on or off. 

Driving code 3, or "fast code 2" is a very dangerous operation. You, your partner, your car/emergency vehicle, and civilians are all at risk when operating in this manner, although it is necessary. Furthermore, whe your adrenaline is going, and your are chasing a perp, or responding to an officer down, as I have, you are more prone to making mistakes in your vehicle. 

Although I did not know this deputy, his mistake was human and it is very sad we as a society must bury a fallen hero once again. We, deputies, officers, firefighters, paramedics & emt's, and civilians alike should take this time to remember how dangerous code 3 op's are and how we must remain ever vigilant when responding to calls or chasing bad guys.  And I mention civilians because we, your gracious public servants, need you to be aware of your surroundings and make sound conscious decisions when you are faced with an emergency vehicle operating code 3.

Stay safe out there, and remember to watch out for those civilians who pull right right in front of you! Those you just gotta love! ;-)

I guess in my opinion yes I think all officers should wear a seat belt just we do, or get a ticket, they are no different than us just because they drive a county car.  Although my simpathy goes to the officer's family, wether he wore his seatbelt or not he would of been dead.   We all make mistakes at one point or another, lets just forgive and move on.