Grand Prairie police officer dies in crash while pursuing another vehicle, police say
A Grand Prairie police officer was killed Monday night after his squad car hit another officer’s car and then a light pole during a chase with another vehicle, officials said.
Officer Brandon Paul Tsai tried to stop a car with a fake paper license plate near the intersection of SW 3rd Street and Pioneer Parkway around 10:45 p.m., according to a Grand Prairie Police Department news release. The vehicle fled and Tsai gave chase but lost control of his squad car and hit a light pole.
Tsai died in Methodist Dallas Medical Center later that night from his injuries.
“Our nation lost a hero last night,” Chief of Police Daniel Scesney said in a statement. “Officer Brandon Tsai represented the very best among us and laid down his life protecting this city and all those who live within it. Our hearts are broken but we are grateful to all those who have extended their thoughts and prayers to Brandon’s family, including his entire extended family who wear blue.”
According to the news release, the 32-year-old officer joined the Grand Prairie Police Department in January. Prior to moving to Texas, he served five years with the Los Angeles Police Department.
“He was a loving friend, a trusted colleague and an outstanding officer whose passion was providing service to the public,” the Grand Prairie Police Department said.
Scesney added at a news conference Tuesday that Tsai “is exactly what you look for in a police officer.”
Police said the car Tsai was chasing is described as a 2012-2016 Chevy Malibu, which is silver with black generic steel rims. It has paint/cosmetic damage to the upper rear passenger side post, next to the rear windshield; a rectangular object or reflector that is raised on the right rear passenger side, near the bumper seam; tinted windows, and likely has a temporary fictitious license plate.
Scesney said at the news conference fictitious paper plates are a major problem in North Texas, and they’re continuing to become more prevalent. He said that, by the latest numbers available to him, more than 200 fake plates have been spotted around North Texas in recent months. They make it more difficult for police to solve crimes, including violent crimes, and can put officers’ lives in danger.
“Quite frankly, it cost a cop his life,” Scesney said.
Police released an image of the suspect vehicle, which had a paper tag with the number 0330S43. Scesney said that the same tag number has been captured on more than 200 vehicles in the Dallas area.
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Grand Prairie Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of the $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect. Tips can be made to 972-988-8477 (TIPS) or GPCrimeStoppers.org.
A vigil will be held at the Grand Prairie Police Department on Friday at 6 p.m.
People have already flocked to the department to lay flowers, cards, flags and other things on a Grand Prairie police patrol vehicle in remembrance of Tsai.
Scesney described the man as someone who cared about his community and was the exemplification of what a police officer should be. He had family in Los Angeles and Hong Kong, but he also called some people in the community in which he lived and worked his family.
“This is devastating,” Scesney said. “It’s devastating. He’s a good cop and we all miss him already.”
Police said the driver will be facing charges of at least evading in a vehicle, but Scesney said he suspects there are other charges the driver could be facing that he or she was trying to avoid by fleeing.
This story was originally published November 15, 2022 at 8:11 AM.
