By Evan Anderson, News 9
LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. -- A friend of the OKC police officer killed in a Logan County
car accident spoke out about the officer's sudden death.
On Wednesday, 39-year-old Sgt. Steven Elsass and 30-year-old
Amber Brown were killed near Waterloo and Western when their car overturned.
Elsass was a very
well-liked OKC police officer around his community, and his police family. One
friend, still in disbelief over the sudden death, wanted to share his story of
a man, he says touched his life.
"It's still unreal. I'm trying to put into words how
something like this could happen to someone like Ryan," said Sgt. Mike Bell.
Losing a fellow law enforcement officer always hit
close to home for those who protect and serve each day. For Bell, he lost a
friend.
"I met Ryan approximately about October of 2008. We
played soccer together indoor and in December of 08, I was let go from the
police department that I was at. They had a downsizing," Bell said.
12/5/2012
Related Story: OKC Police Identify Off-Duty Officer Killed In Logan County Crash
Bell says he had to do something to make ends meet. He
was without a job and had a family to support and it was just three weeks
before Christmas.
"If it wasn't for him, I don't know what I would have
done that year," said Bell.
Elsass gave him his old job as an off-duty security
officer at the indoor soccer arena.
"Ever since then, I've always remembered Ryan for
that," said Bell. "That was just the kind of person that Ryan was; he would
pretty much do anything for anybody if he could."
Bell learned of his friend's death on Facebook, but it
wasn't until he got a text, that confirmed his friend had been killed.
12/5/2012 Related Story: Off-Duty OKC Police Officer Killed In
Logan County Crash
"Something told me something bad had happened and I
was hoping it wasn't anyone that I knew. And when I found out it was Ryan a
whole bunch of emotions went through. Shock, disbelief that this happened to
someone as nice as Ryan," said Bell.
Capt. Dexter Nelson says Elsass was a driver training
instructor for the OKC Police Dept., and a Patrol Sgt. in the Santa Fe
Division. He was with the Department for 12 years.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol continues to investigate
the accident and says speed may be a factor. No official cause has been
determined.
