Family and community mourns officer killed in Greenwood crash

The Upstate law enforcement community is mourning the loss of Officer Don "DJ" Keller, who was killed in a crash while on the job Monday. Officer Keller was just 31 years old. He leaves behind a wife and a 2-year-old daughter. Officials say Keller served in the United States Army from 2016 to 2020 before joining the Greenwood Police Department in 2023. Tuesday, the Greenwood community honored the memory of that officer, laying flowers by the side of the road and on a cruiser outside the police station. "He did nothing wrong," police Chief TJ Chaudoin said, holding back tears. "He was just serving our community. Doing what I asked of him."We're told at 4:56 Monday afternoon, Greenwood Police were trying to pull over a blue Jeep that they said was involved in multiple crimes and shootings around the area recently.The Jeep sped off away from officers. Keller was not a part of the traffic stop, but was driving toward the area to assist. "It was one police cruiser chasing the blue jeep. Just one at that time. The other police cruiser that was approaching, coming towards the scene. He's the one that got struck by the Jeep," said Leticia Samuel.She says she had to swerve out of the way as the Jeep drove past her into oncoming traffic and directly into Keller's vehicle on East Cambridge Avenue."It was like the front of the car was in a car crusher. It was bad. And the battery was on the ground. The front was so smashed in," she said.Tuesday, the community honored Keller's sacrifice, surrounding a police cruiser with flowers and prayers. "I had to come," said William Bates, a veteran. "He came on a couple of calls in the neighborhood, and I got to know him that way and come to know that he was a fellow soldier."Investigators vow that sacrifice won't be in vain. "And there's not a lot we can answer today, because this is an ongoing, active investigation," said Solicitor David Stumbo. "But there will be no resource spared from our state partners and our local partners to make sure that justice is done in this case."Nadja Keller says the last time she saw her cousin, he was with his wife, pushing his daughter in a stroller. "I just, I don't see how you can go to war and then come back and be killed," she said. "That's the saddest part for me."South Carolina Highway Patrol has taken the lead on this investigation alongside SLED.As of Tuesday afternoon, officers have not said if a chase caused this crash. They have only said the suspect was evading officers. Our reporter reached out to Greenwood Police and did not hear back. Chief Chaudoin said they would not answer questions so as to not compromise the investigation. On Wednesday, authorities announced that the funeral for Keller will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Finis Horne Arena at Lander University.Additionally, the Greenwood Police Department two more community events in remembrance of Keller.A community prayer event will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Emerald Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care located at 201 Overland Drive.A candle prayer vigil will be held on Friday at 6 p.m. at A Quaint Little Place located at 448 Calhoun Avenue.