FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2002
Contact: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety regretfully announces that Senior Trooper Michael Rao, 33, has died from injuries sustained Monday after being hit by a truck while assisting a motorist on I-95. Rao underwent several hours of surgery on Monday but developed a number of complications and passed away Wednesday afternoon at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital.

“We are devastated by the loss of Michael Rao who died serving South Carolina honorably,” said DPS Director Boykin Rose. “He was a fine trooper and a good man. The loss of Trooper Rao will be felt far outside of law enforcement circles.”

Rao was struck by a vehicle about 8:30 a.m. Monday as he was assisting a motorist whose car had broken down on the side of the road on I-95 in Clarendon County. Rao was airlifted to Columbia with serious head injuries, a broken leg and a broken pelvis. He underwent hours of surgery on Monday to relieve swelling on his brain. His condition began to deteriorate on Tuesday as doctors battled complications from the accident.

“I can’t begin to express the deep sadness felt by members of the Highway Patrol and DPS community,” said Col. Mike Kelley. “Our deepest condolences go out to his wife and family. The outpouring of support since Mike’s accident speaks volumes about the kind of man he was. He will be greatly missed by us all.”

Rao, a member of the ACE team, was struck -- while standing next to a disabled vehicle -- by a 2001 Chevrolet pick-up truck driven by Anthony R. Cocco of Holland, PA. The truck first hit the Patrol car and then struck the trooper pinning him underneath the truck. According to the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office, another trooper and passing motorists, including a nurse, helped free Rao from under the vehicle and gave him medical attention until EMS arrived. The Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the collision with the assistance of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office reconstruction team.

Rao has been with the Highway Patrol since 1998. He began his Patrol career in Kershaw County. In November 2001, he joined the ACE team, working Region Four, which includes Clarendon, Williamsburg, Darlington, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marlboro, Dillon and Marion counties.

A graduate of Lancaster High, Rao attended York Technical College and served in the United States Navy. He also served with the Lancaster City Police Department and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Highway Patrol. Rao, a native of Toms River, N.J., and his wife, Janet, and 2-year-old daughter, Megan, had recently moved to Florence from Lugoff.

Rao is the third trooper to die in the line of duty since 2000. Greenville trooper Eric Nicholson was the most recent trooper to die in the line of duty. Nicholson was shot during a traffic stop in December 2000.

Further information on memorial service activities will be posted to the DPS web site at www.scdps.org.

SI/85/02

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