Funeral Scheduled for SDPD Officer Killed in Highway Accident

Officer Prokop, 34, was struck and killed by a vehicle as he attempted to cross a stretch of the I-15 in Mira Mesa during the early morning hours of October 2, according to SDPD officials.

 

“Jason said that I'll be the best partner you ever had. And he was,” said fellow officer Jeff Swett.
 

About 300 people attended the ceremony at the Rock Church, including officials from San Diego police and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, among others. It was reported that the car that hit Prokop was driven by an off-duty USCBP officer.

 

In total, one other person died during the incident that involved six different vehicles, which created four separate accidents, officials said.

 

Prokop, who was a a five-year veteran of SDPD assigned to Central Division, was described by his peers as a tremendous officer with strong character.

He had a significant military background as well, serving as an Army Ranger and combat medic.

A fellow reservist, Staff Sgt. Brandon Arnold, said Prokop had a dedication to the job.

"Just the fact that he was a combat medic and a police officer just goes to show that he dedicated his life to helping people," said Arnold. "That's exactly the way, I think, that he would want to go. He gave himself [up] to help others."

Drill Sgt. Prokop will be the standard to which I measure any soldier or human being. I respected and admired his leadership, mentorship and compassion, “said Danni Cook, of the U.S. Army Reserves.

The service for Prokop included an escort of a hearse and limousine by the SDPD Motor Unit from El Camino Memorial Park to the church, according to officials.

Prokop's death is another in a string of SDPD officers who have died over the past year.

"The entire department this past year has seen a very tough year but everybody is professional," said Capt. Mark Jones of SDPD at a news conference held shortly after the accident.

 

"Everybody knows that we help each other to get through these things and we always do."

 

The San Diego Police Officers Association has established a trust fund for Officer Prokop’s family. Donations can be mailed to:
Officer Jason Prokop Family Trust
c/o San Diego Police Officers Association
8388 Vickers Street
San Diego, CA 92111