Valentine’s law goes into effect 3 days before MO police officer & mother of 6 loses life during police chase

MISSOURI (KBSI) – She was a young mother, a wife, a friend and a police officer. Phylicia Carson, 33, was killed in the line of duty early Saturday morning August 31, 2024.   

 The Osage Beach officer is one of dozens nationwide predicted to die during a traffic pursuit each year, according to statistics.

“Vehicle pursuits are one of the most dangerous things an officer can get involved in. Not only for that officer but as well as the community,” said Sikeston Department of Public Safety Captain Jon Broom.

A new Missouri law may impact how the case against the suspect connected to Carson’s death will play out.

Captain Jon Broom explains the story behind Valentine’s law.

“It was in reference to an officer that was killed in a vehicle pursuit in St. Louis, Antonio Valentine,” he said.

Under Valentine’s law, the charges for evading a traffic stop now hold a higher charge.

Before, the charge for evading a traffic stop previously was only a misdemeanor. 

But now the charges for evading a traffic stop range from a Class D felony up to a Class A felony depending on the severity of the situation.

Valentine’s law was enacted last week on August 28 just three days before Carson died while trying to stop Christopher Wehmeyer near Richland Missouri. 

That means Wehmeyer and others who try to speed away from cops could spend 30 years to life in prison.  

Broom says he hopes this law will have an impact on the amount of people they see trying to flee from police.

“Now with this law I think it shifts a little bit of that responsibility back to the motorists on how important it is to pull over,” said Captain Broom.

Funeral arrangements for Phylicia Carson are listed here.