Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen Rutland PD, Vermont End of Watch Friday, July 7, 2023

A suspect vehicle struck Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen's patrol car head-on at about 3:00 pm, resulting in her death. https://www.odmp.org/officer/26751-police-officer-jessica-ebbighausen

Officers were pursuing this suspect in response to a burglary on East Washington Street. The suspect drove a pickup truck, and Officer Ebbighausen and her training officer were approaching from the opposite direction. When the chase reached Stratton Road and Woodstock Avenue intersection, the suspect's vehicle veered across the center line and smashed head-on into Officer Ebbighausen's patrol car. Subsequently, the truck collided with another patrol car.

Injuries from the collision caused Officer Ebbighausen's death at the scene. The crash also injured two other officers and the suspect, who later went into custody.

Officer Ebbighausen had been serving as a part-time officer, undergoing field training with plans to attend the Vermont Police Academy the following month, transitioning into a full-time role.