Medical Examiner's Office Releases Cause Of Death For OKC Police Recruit

The Medical Examiner's Office has determined the cause of death for an Oklahoma City police recruit who died from an injury suffered at the training academy.

10/14/2012 Related Story: Authorities Identify OKC Police Recruit Who Died At Training Academy

On October 14, Kelly Chase, 38, was going through routine training and was doing his final custody control and defense training test with instructors when his head hit the mat. Chase was then transported to Mercy Hospital where he died.

According to Amy Elliott, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Medical Examiner's Office, Kelly Chase received a head injury during the training, and died from "head trauma-blunt force."

The report that indicates the manner of death for Chase and the toxicology report are still pending, according to officials.

Chase had spent 20 years in the military before entering the police academy.

According to Bill Citty, the Oklahoma City Chief of Police, the police department will look at its procedures to see if there is something it may do differently at the academy, like adding safety helmets during training.

10/16/2012 Related Story: OKC Chief Of Police: Recruits May Wear Safety Helmets During Training

For now, the Oklahoma City Police Department has suspended the custody control and defense training and is doing an internal investigation.