UPD officer killed during traffic stop (Ole Miss Police Officer)

Daily Mississippian ^ | 10/23/2006 | N/A

[somniferum]

OXFORD, Miss.-A University of Mississippi police officer was killed early Saturday morning while conducting a traffic stop near the university campus.

Officer Robert Langley, 30, had stopped a vehicle for speeding when the driver suddenly pulled away, dragging him approximately 200 yards. Langley suffered severe head injuries and was taken by helicopter to the Medical Center in Memphis where he was pronounced dead.

Within 30 minutes of the incident, Oxford Police detained 20-year-old Daniel Cummings, a second-year UM student from Germantown, Tenn. Cummings has been charged with capital murder of police officer and is being held in the Lafayette County Detention Center.

A four-year veteran of the University Police Department, Langley had returned in April from serving with the National Guard in Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife Lisa, two sons and two stepdaughters.

"There are no words to describe the heartache we feel. This is a tragedy for so many people in so many ways, and our hearts are grieving for Officer Langley's family," said Chancellor Robert Khayat. "He served his country when it needed him and, like police officers everywhere, he was dedicated to making our communities safe. This is a tragic event for us all."

The incident is the first death in the line of duty for a University of Mississippi police officer, said UPD Chief Jeffrey VanSlyke.

"We are a small department and something like this hits everyone very hard," said VanSlyke. "Every law enforcement officer knows the potential danger every time they go to work. Robert Langley was a devoted father, a respected police officer. He was our brother."

[bourbon]

Correct. He is an SAE.

[rae33]

I beg to differ with you,I am Robert;s sister he should be charged with the maximum.My brother was a good man who serverd in the war a cop ,ahusband,and a wonderful father.His two boys are 6and1 his step daughters are 9and6.He aws just doing his job.This young boy tried to take off with him over in the car.He continued to driveto he got to a speed that my brother was thrown from the car.So hard that he was brain dead before he ever made it to the hospital.Before you pass judgement you should all people should get the correct true story Thanks, Rachel langley

[skr]

I am very sorry for your terrible loss; please know that prayers have been sent for the family, friends and all who will miss your brother.

The article mentions dragging but didn't clarify whether or not the student knew he was dragging or throwing your brother from the car, which is why I said that unless the student knew he was endangering the officer, manslaughter was a more likely charge than murder. I most certainly want the harshest sentence that can be imposed.

[I got the rope]

I am sorry for your loss. My family will pray for yours tonight.

This punk should get what is coming to him.

ping dave!

[I got the rope]

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

[dennisw]

This fratboy's tune will be --->>>



(by Mose Allison)

I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm,
Ain't never done no man no harm.

Well, I'm putting that cotton in an eleven foot sack.
Well, I'm putting that cotton in an eleven foot sack.
Well, I'm putting that cotton in an eleven foot sack,
A twelve-gauge shotgun at my back.

I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm,
Ain't never done no man no harm.

[dennisw]

My condolences. This idiot child will have the book thrown at him because he could have stopped his car at any time. IOW he actively murdered your brother. It's the difference between firing one shot and twenty.

[reneehowell]

I am Robbie's other sister. I fully agree with Rachel that he sould get the max that he can get. I hope he has to sit in that jail and think about what he hs done to our family for along time. He has taken a husband, father, son, and brother away from us. Robbie has children that don't understand where daddy is. On the other hand we as christian people need to pray for this boy and his family. Even though he took Robbie from us he needs our prayers as well.

[BraveMan]

Please accept my condolences to you and your family over the loss of your brother.

[BraveMan]

Tracy and the others, please alert the Prayer Warriors to these two new members. Sadly, they now know what is required of them to be truely able to forgive . . .

[robbiescousn]

This is more than a tragedy, it is the death of my cousin. This man went to Afganistan and fought to save this kids a$$ and survived it and was able to come home to his family. And even after all of that he worked hard nights away from his family to still save this kids a$$ and that punk took his life. How? and Why? What posses such to drive off with a honorable officer in your vehicle? Can one really be that stupid? I guess so. Because of this kid and because my cousin was there to make our world safer he is now gone. I will never see him again. The last time I saw him he was so tierd he could barely hold his eyes open from driving 16 hours straight to my home to pick my grandmother up. I can still see him walking in my door saying "hey ugly" :) He always called me that. He told me he loved me and wanted me to hurry home. And that will be the last time I ever see him.
I think this kid should pay for this to the fullest just as Robbie did and as his wife and children are. God knows my heart goes out to them. I would give anything for that to have been me instead of him. God needed another angel and I know in my heart Robbie is looking over us all including Daniel Cummings and he forgives him. I just pray that kid knows how badly he has hurt our family and especially those kids.
I do hope he pays for it all. He deserves everything he will get.
Robbie's cousin,
Chastity Keel

[Reagan79]

I want you and your family to know I am praying for all of you. I am a 2001 graduate of Ole Miss and have nothing to say but positive things about UPD, they are the best! Robbie is a hero the way he has served his country and family. Thanks for posting on here and sharing. Grace and Peace!

[nutmeg]

Yikes... same thing just happened in New Haven, Connecticut a few days ago. Prayers for both officers' family and friends...

[robbiescousn]

This is more than a tragedy, it is the death of my cousin. This man went to Afganistan and fought to save this kids a$$ and survived it and was able to come home to his family. And even after all of that he worked hard nights away from his family to still save this kids a$$ and that punk took his life. How? and Why? What posses such to drive off with a honorable officer in your vehicle? Can one really be that stupid? I guess so. Because of this kid and because my cousin was there to make our world safer he is now gone. I will never see him again. The last time I saw him he was so tierd he could barely hold his eyes open from driving 16 hours straight to my home to pick my grandmother up. I can still see him walking in my door saying "hey ugly" :) He always called me that. He told me he loved me and wanted me to hurry home. And that will be the last time I ever see him.
I think this kid should pay for this to the fullest just as Robbie did and as his wife and children are. God knows my heart goes out to them. I would give anything for that to have been me instead of him. God needed another angel and I know in my heart Robbie is looking over us all including Daniel Cummings and he forgives him. I just pray that kid knows how badly he has hurt our family and especially those kids.
I do hope he pays for it all. He deserves everything he will get.
Robbie's cousin,
Chastity Keel

[robbiescousn]

This is more than a tragedy, it is the death of my cousin. This man went to Afganistan and fought to save this kids a$$ and survived it and was able to come home to his family. And even after all of that he worked hard nights away from his family to still save this kids a$$ and that punk took his life. How? and Why? What posses such to drive off with a honorable officer in your vehicle? Can one really be that stupid? I guess so. Because of this kid and because my cousin was there to make our world safer he is now gone. I will never see him again. The last time I saw him he was so tierd he could barely hold his eyes open from driving 16 hours straight to my home to pick my grandmother up. I can still see him walking in my door saying "hey ugly" :) He always called me that. He told me he loved me and wanted me to hurry home. And that will be the last time I ever see him.
I think this kid should pay for this to the fullest just as Robbie did and as his wife and children are. God knows my heart goes out to them. I would give anything for that to have been me instead of him. God needed another angel and I know in my heart Robbie is looking over us all including Daniel Cummings and he forgives him. I just pray that kid knows how badly he has hurt our family and especially those kids.
I do hope he pays for it all. He deserves everything he will get.
Robbie's cousin,
Chastity Keel

[NerdDad]

"Bet his daddy gonna hire the best lawyer money can buy."

I suspect you are correct. I question whether daddy's money will prevent the boy from ever seeing trial let alone Parchman.

Report I heard this morning said that his parents met the police at the bottom of the steps of his dorm when they came to arrest him. That's some pretty quick travel from Germantown to Ole Miss. Sounds like the boy wasn't the only one doing a little speeding that night.

[robbiescousn]

Sorry don't know what happened....so many reply repeated....computer default.
Chastity Keel

[TNdandelion]

Wow! I hadn't heard that. I did hear that he's facing capital murder.

[TNdandelion]

Wow! I hadn't heard that. I did hear that he's facing capital murder.

[TNdandelion]

Apologies for the duplicate posts. :)