Tribute to Police Officer, Iraq War Veteran Killed in Pursuit Crash

Flags were at half-staff Sunday outside the Beaumont Police Department, in remembrance of a police officer, Iraq War veteran, and Beaumont resident who died in a fiery crash during a pursuit Friday night in Palm Springs.

Cathedral City police Officer Jermaine Gibson, 29, "did live in Beaumont at the time of his death," Beaumont police Chief Frank Coe said Sunday.

Gibson was "a young man with a distinguished record of service to his country and community," California Gov. Jerry Brown said Saturday.

Gibson was chasing two men in a stolen vehicle when his patrol car crashed into a palm tree and burst into flames on South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Gibson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Cathedral City police Lt. Charles Robinson said. The suspect vehicle also crashed further down the road and caught fire, and two men were hospitalized.

"Officer Gibson was married within the past year, and was the proud father of a four-week-old baby boy," Robinson said. "Officer Gibson will be missed by all his friends and family."

Gibson started his law enforcement career as a teenage volunteer Police Explorer in Richmond, Calif. He served two tours in the Iraq War with the Marine Corps, earned a Purple Heart, and was honorably discharged as an infantry squad leader.

Gibson had been with Cathedral City police the past 18 months, and he'd been a fully-sworn law enforcement officer about three years. He was recognized last week in Riverside by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts to identify and arrest DUI motorists.

"Every day, officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and Officer Gibson's service and sacrifice will not be forgotten," Brown said Saturday in a statement. "We offer our deepest condolences to the friends, family and fellow officers mourning this loss."

Brown ordered state Capitol flags lowered to half-staff in Gibson's honor.

The fatal crash was being investigated by the California Highway Patrol's Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team.

Gibson is survived by his wife, Jessica, and month-old son, Jermaine Anthony Gibson, both of Beaumont, his mother, Cheryl Gibson of Vallejo, and his brother, Taurean R. Gibson of Vallejo.

A memorial fund will be established to assist Gibson's family through the Cathedral City Police Officers Association, Robinson said. Inquiries and donations should be directed to CCPOA President Albert Holloway at (951) 906-4552 or cathedralcitypoa@gmail.com.