Seattle Police Identify Off-Duty Officer Killed On Interstate 5

SEATTLE — A Seattle police officer heading home from work was hit and killed on Interstate 5 early Sunday morning, while trying to help at the scene of a crash, according to Washington State Patrol. In an update shared over the weekend, a WSP spokesperson outlined the timeline of events and said troopers were still searching for one driver involved in the initial crash, who then fled the scene in the officer's personal vehicle.

On Monday afternoon, the Seattle Police Department formally identified the officer as Alexandra Harris, 38, a North Seattle native and member department for nearly five years.

“Officer Harris embodied everything the Seattle Police Department is working to become,” said Chief Adrian Diaz. “Her dedication to the people of this city is an example to every member of our department, and all those who will come after her.”

In an end of watch notification posted online, the police department memorialized Harris' life, both on and off duty:

Even out of uniform Officer Harris remained committed to the Seattle Police Department’s mission of community caretaking and pulled over to check on the motorists involved in the collision. As Officer Harris was outside of her vehicle, another passing motorist struck and killed her.

Officer Harris —known as Lexi by her friends and colleagues— served at SPD’s West Precinct, in the department’s Wellness Unit, and [most] recently with the Community Response Group. She grew up in North Seattle came from a family dedicated to public service in Washington State.

Lexi leaves behind a tight-knit family, including her fiancé and his daughters. One colleague said Lexi adored the girls and referred to them as her “bonus daughters.”

Lexi will be remembered for her commitment to her colleagues, wellness and physical training, and as a co-host of the podcast The Leaderist, focused on improving the relationships between police and the communities they serve.

Trooper Rick Johnson said the three-vehicle crash happened Sunday amid lengthy backups from an earlier collision that had blocked most southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near the Spokane St. ramp. Shortly before 1:20 a.m., Johnson said a 911 call reported the second southbound crash near South Columbian Way. Johnson said a second caller reported that a pedestrian was hit at the scene of the crash. Troopers arrived five minutes later to find Harris had died from her injuries at the scene.

The driver who hit Harris stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, Johnson said, but troopers learned one of the drivers involved in the initial crash had fled the scene in Harris' personal vehicle before they arrived. The vehicle was later found abandoned and is being processed for evidence, and detectives are continuing a search for the driver.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could help identify the driver is asked to contact WSP at 425-401-7742.