Officer Dies In Traffic Crash N.O. Cops Review Motorcade Rules Submitted by N.O.V.A. July 2005 Times Picayune 04-27-1998 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Police motorcycle officer Morris Cavaliere Jr., who friends said was driven by a commitment to save lives, died early Sunday from injuries received in an accident while escorting a wedding procession. Cavaliere, 29, an eight-year veteran who had followed in the footsteps of his father, a retired New Orleans motorcycle policeman, died of head injuries Sunday at 1:15 a.m. at Charity Hospital, police said. His police motorcycle crashed into the side of a private car being driven by an off- duty New Orleans policeman Saturday evening, police said. Willie Gant, who was in uniform on his way to work at the Second District police station, was on Willow Street crossing Napoleon Avenue when Cavaliere's motorcycle crashed into the side of Gant's car, officials said. Gant had been allowed to cut through the procession by a motorist who had stopped so as not to block an intersection, police said. Cavaliere was thrown about 50 feet and suffered multiple injuries. No citations were issued in the accident, which was referred to the district attorney's office, police said. Police said Sunday they had not determined who, if anyone, was at fault in the accident, though Superintendent Richard Pennington said the procedure for escorting processions will come under review. "We're trying to find out if we need to adjust our procedure in any way that would help prevent something like this from happening," Pennington said. One officer described Gant as "devastated" by the accident. Cavaliere, who began with the department in 1990 as an emergency medical technician, was a dedicated officer, his colleagues said. He frequently worked for the police dive team in rescue efforts and saw traffic enforcement work as a way to save lives. "That's what he liked to do," said fellow officer and friend Joey LaRoche. "He liked to save lives." Cavaliere was a member of the department's special weapons and tactics team and had been assigned to the Traffic Division's accident investigation unit, Pennington said. Cavaliere had worked in the motorcycle unit for years, prompting some officers to suggest his death was a freak accident, given his expertise and experience. "He was the best," LaRoche said. Investigators said the lakebound procession had slowed to a stop in the right lane on Napoleon near South Claiborne Avenue about 6:50 p.m. A motorist in the middle of the procession stopped to let Gant proceed across Napoleon headed Uptown, police said. His vision apparently obstructed by traffic, Gant did not see Cavaliere advancing in the left lane toward the head of the procession, and Gant drove into the motorcycle's path, police said. The cycle struck Gant's vehicle on the driver's side, toward the rear, police said. Cavaliere had served in the Seventh District, had an outstanding police career and had qualified as a candidate for the upcoming promotions to sergeant, Pennington said. Besides his father, who is currently working with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, Cavaliere's wife, Elizabeth Dominick Cavaliere, is also a police officer, assigned to the Seventh District. "He lived for his wife and his little boy, James," LaRoche said. Cavaliere was "the type if you needed help he'd be there for you no matter what time it was or what. He was always there for you," LaRoche said. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Holy Guardian Angels Church, 1701 Bridge City Ave., Bridge City. Private visitation will be at 9 a.m. Public visitation will be at 10 a.m. The funeral service will be from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with interment in Lake Lawn Cemetery, Defillo said.