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A southern California man, suspected of murder and drunk driving, was arrested after the death of a motorcycle officer from the California Highway Patrol, officials said Sunday.
Michael Callahan of Winchester was detained following the death of the California Road Patrol Sergeant. Steve Licon, said officer Steve Carapia.
Callahan is suspected of having driven intoxicated on Saturday afternoon when he crossed the right shoulder of Interstate 15 at Lake Elsinore, where he went on the road. is crushed against Licon and a car that he had parked for speeding.
Licon died in a nearby hospital. The family of four in the car that he had parked was not injured.
It is not known if Callahan has a lawyer. Inmate records show that he must appear in court for Wednesday.
Investigators believe that the recommendation of a charge of murder in the case is "entirely appropriate," said Mario Lucio, special services commander of the CHP's Domestic Division.
"We have discovered evidence of gross negligence both during and before this tragic collision," Lucio said at a press conference on Sunday.
He refused to explain what the evidence was. In the end, prosecutors will decide which charges will be laid.
Licon was a veteran of the 27-year-old agency. He is survived by his wife, daughter and daughter-in-law.
Licon's body was taken to the coroner's office during a slow, dark procession Saturday night.
Alternate Governor Eleni Kounalakis has ordered the flags to be hoisted to half of the Capitol's staff, and the California Highway Patrol is holding a ceremony to honor the bell in her honor on Monday.
Carapia, who has known Licon for six years, said the sergeant was appreciated and known for his work ethic and his acute and distinct laughter.
"He had a great sense of humor," Carapia said. "You could hear him laughing from the sergeant's desk, you could hear him coming down the hallway … just a great human being all around."
He said that Licon liked his job and the fact that his office was on a motorcycle.
"It's a difficult case," he said. "He's hitting you deep down."
Lucio testified that Licon was his sergeant when he showed up at the agency and that he helped shape his career and that of many other younger officers.
"He loved coaching the troops," Lucio said. "The guy really spent time training the officers he supervised."
He added that the death of the sergeant should remind the public that driving while intoxicated is never acceptable.
"We lost a good sergeant," he said. "We will miss him."
Police departments and officers throughout the state have used social media to publish articles on Licon.
CHP commissioner Warren Stanley said Licon was a great leader "who sacrificed his life to serve the people of California".
The headquarters of the PCH tweeted that "our hearts are heavy … Rest, easy brother, we have the watch here."
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