John Smith

How they died

Vehic/Purs

Florissant police officer Paul Sexton chased a van from Florissant to Granite City, IL, where it crashed into John Smith's car, killing him. At about 5:30 a.m., Smith was driving to his job at the Capri Sun plant when his westbound Chevrolet Camaro was broadsided by the pursued van at an intersection. The van's driver, Richard Alsup, was found guilty of first-degree murder. During the three-day trial, Sexton testified that he lied in a police report when he said he saw Alsup committing a burglary before the pursuit. Sexton said that he lied because he feared for his career and that he would be sued for giving chase without probable cause.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that John Smith, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources