Camdenton man charged in connection with Osage Beach police officer’s death

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Camdenton man is facing charges after allegedly causing the death of an Osage Beach police officer, the Camden County prosecuting attorney confirmed on Sunday.

According to a press release, Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, 23, of Camdenton was charged with the Class A felony of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle, causing a death.

Wehmeyer's charges are based on the Valentine's Law that went into effect on Aug. 28. 2024.

Camden County Prosecutor Richelle Grosvenor's 24-hour hold to determine the appropriate charges ended around 1 a.m. Sunday. Wehmeyer could face up to life in prison if convicted, according to former Cole County prosecutor Bill Tackett.

"If you've just taken off and not killed anybody and nobody would have died, then it would be a class b felony, five years to 15 but the officer's death, this raises the ante to 10 to 30 or life," Tackett said.

Wehmeyer is accused of causing the death of officer Phylicia Carson on Saturday while Carson was pursuing him in a chase. According to a crash report, Carson crossed the middle of Route A east of Toronto Springs Park Rd. during the pursuit when her patrol car began to skid, veered off the road, struck a tree, and caught fire.

Carson's death is the first fatality in a pursuit chase since 2021, when Detective Antonio Antoine Valentine Sr. died in a similar incident in St. Louis. The new law, Valentine's Law, is named in his honor.

In a statement sent to ABC 17 news via email Saint Louis Sergeant Tracy Panus expressed her remorse.

"We mourn the loss of Osage Beach Police Officer Carson and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the men and women of the Osage Beach Police Department. Just as Officer Carson’s memory will live on, St. Louis County Police Detective Antonio Valentine’s legacy lives on through Valentine’s Law," the statement reads. "While we are sad that this law was necessary so soon after its implementation, we appreciate its use in this tragic incident. Fleeing from police officers is dangerous and in this case, had life ending consequences. Detective Valentine and Officer Carson will not be forgotten."

The range of punishment for a Class A felony is no less than 10 years.

Wehmeyer is being held on no bond in the Camden County jail.