Friend Of OKC Officer Killed In Crash Speaks Out

A friend of the OKC police officer killed in a Logan County car accident spoke out about the officer's sudden death.

Thursday, December 6th 2012, 6:54 pm

By: News 9

Friend Of OKC Officer Killed In Crash Speaks Out

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.

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.

"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.