Full Breakdown
Investigation Reveals Preventable Death of Officer Jessica Ebbighausen
12/6/2025, 6:24:21 AM
Internal Investigation Findings
An internal investigation by the Rutland City Police Department has concluded that the death of 19-year-old trainee officer Jessica Ebbighausen was preventable and resulted from policy violations by her fellow officers. Ebbighausen was killed in July 2023 during a pursuit when a suspect, Tate Rheaume, struck her cruiser head-on. The investigation, led by now-retired commander Sam Delpha, determined that the pursuit should not have occurred, as the officers involved failed to adhere to established pursuit policies.
Circumstances of the Incident
The pursuit began when Officer Jared Dumas initiated a chase after Rheaume, who was suspected of a break-in. However, the investigation found that Dumas lacked probable cause to initiate the pursuit, as he did not have evidence of a violent felony, which is a requirement under the Rutland City Police Department's pursuit policy. The report noted that the only offense that could be substantiated was unlawful trespass, which does not meet the threshold for a police pursuit.
During the chase, Ebbighausen, who was on her fifth patrol shift, was driving a cruiser with her training officer, Corporal Richard Caravaggio, in the passenger seat. Both officers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, which led to Ebbighausen being ejected from the vehicle upon impact. The report highlighted that Dumas did not request permission to pursue Rheaume, a clear violation of department policy.
Accountability and Policy Violations
The investigation identified multiple policy violations by Dumas, Caravaggio, and other supervising officers, including Commander Charles Whitehead and Sergeant John Dickerson, who failed to stop the unauthorized pursuit. Delpha's report emphasized that the department's pursuit policy was designed to prevent such incidents and that the supervisors had a responsibility to intervene.
Dumas, who had served with the Rutland City Police Department for over six years, did not respond to interview requests during the investigation, as he had transferred to the Rutland Town Police Department. Caravaggio speculated that the lack of seatbelt use was due to a hurried departure from the station.
Legal Proceedings Against the Suspect
Tate Rheaume has been charged with aggravated murder and other felonies related to the incident. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial. The report does not specify whether any disciplinary actions will be taken against the officers involved in Ebbighausen's death.
Conclusion
The internal affairs investigation has raised significant concerns regarding the adherence to police protocols within the Rutland City Police Department. The findings underscore the importance of following established policies to ensure the safety of officers and the public. The case against Rheaume is set to continue in court, with further developments expected in the coming months.
