Chaffee officer involved in car chase resigns

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- A Chaffee police officer involved in a controversial police pursuit Sept. 23 left the department Feb. 23, chief Martin Keys said Tuesday.

Chaffee patrolman Jim Backfisch pursued a vehicle that crashed on Route U in Cape Girardeau County following a high-speed police chase that began in Chaffee.

Garrett K. Williams, 19, of Allenville, the driver of the vehicle, and Debra P. Johnson, 46, died in the crash. Daniel L. Moore, 20, of Chaffee survived the accident.

Another passenger who survived the crash, Betina M. Ott of Chaffee, and family members of Johnson's have filed civil lawsuits against the city.

The Scott County Sheriff's Department investigated the chase and found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the Chaffee Police Department, said chief deputy Tom Beardslee. He said the investigation found that Backfisch followed police department procedures and state statutes while conducting the pursuit.

Backfisch had been placed on administrative leave during the investigation but had returned to active duty afterward, Keys said.

Keys said Tuesday Backfisch had been employed by the Chaffee Police Department since Oct. 6, 2004, and had submitted his resignation four to six weeks ago. His last official day was Feb. 27, but he used four days off that were due to him.

Keys said he did not know what job Backfisch went to, only that he moved to Illinois.

carel@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127