Duty Death: Eli Colonroche - [Sanford]
By Police1 Staff
SANFORD, N.C. — A Sanford officer died after being injured during a rappelling training incident Tuesday.
Officer Eli Colonroche and several other officers were descending a four-story rappelling tower as part of a training exercise when he hit the tower’s third story and cut his elbow, Maj. Kevin Gray of Sanford Police said.
He continued his descent to the ground and was told by other officers that he should see a doctor.
Colonroche was transported to a local hospital, where he died several hours later. Doctors say he developed problems with his blood pressure and was likely bleeding internally, Gray said.
Colonroche had served with the Sanford Police Department for nine years, and had previously served as a U.S. Army MP for 22 years. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
A military funeral is planned for next week.