Motorcycle Officer Killed in Florida While Working on President Obama Motorcade

A Jupiter, Florida motorcycle officer working as part of  President Barack Obama’s motorcade died on Sunday after being struck by a pickup truck. Police officer Bruce St. Laurent, 55, a twenty-year member of the Jupiter Police Department was hit around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, August 9 while working on the President upcoming visit.  Laurent was in front of the motorcade on highway Interstate 95 when he was hit by the Ford F-150.  He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at close by St. Mary’s Medical Center announced Palm Beach County Sheriff spokesperson Terri Barbera. According to the Police Department, no charges have been filed against the driver of the vehicle. President Obama’s staff has already been notified of the accident.  He was preparing to make a speech at the Palm Beach County Convention Center as Florida is regarded as a crucial in the upcoming 2012 presidential election.  Press secretary Jay Carney told the Associated Press that President Obama is aware of the accident and that his “thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family.”  A similar situation occurred in 2008 as a motorcycle officer was struck and killed in 2008 while escorting then presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. St. Laurent had been a motorcycle officer for over 18 years and received the Distinguished Service award in 2005 by the Traffic Safety Committee of the Palm Beaches.  He is survived by his wife and son, who himself is a veteran of the Iraq war.