2 Suburban Officers Killed In Crash, Another Injured

NILES, IL — A motorcycle accident in Texas over the weekend has left the local police community reeling. Two Niles police officers — one active, one retired — and one other man died as a result of injuries sustained in the Saturday mishap. Another officer, Sgt. Joseph Lazo, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The officers killed were Joseph Paglia, a retired detective, and Michael White, a community service officer. Jerry Wayne Harbour, of Houston, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and a retired pilot for Eastern Airlines, was also killed.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Lazo as he recovers from his injuries. GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

On Saturday, 12 members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, a nonprofit that helps police officers and their families, were hit in a head-on crash on a Texas highway in Kerrville. Nine were hurt and three were killed.

According to reports, a driver is accused of intoxicated manslaughter and assault after crossing the center line and striking the motorcyclists. In addition to Paglia and White, a third man from Houston was also killed.

According to the GoFundMe — which as of Wednesday morning had exceeded its $25,000 goal— Lazo is a beloved fiancée, son, uncle, brother, and a friend to so many. He was admitted to a Texas hospital trauma ward where he remains as of Monday. He sustained critical injuries mainly to his entire left side, and most importantly his leg.

Due to COVID-19, his siblings are stuck in Illinois trying to navigate their brother's injuries and the uncertainty of what his future looks like given how badly he has been injured.

"Police work and helping the community is his entire world. Our ultimate goal is to get Joe back home, so we can start to heal from this catastrophic tragedy," the post reads. "Joe was not only critically injured, he lost his brothers in the accident and will carry this with him forever."

Organizers believe there's a good chance Lazo will not be able to go back to active duty.