High school tradition takes a bad turn

MEMPHIS, MO.)  A senior tradition gone wrong sends three Heartland
teens to the hospital and leads to the resignation of a police officer
and the suspension of the city marshal.

It's called the "Senior Chase".   And it started years ago as a parade
where seniors could make their mark on the first day of school at
Scotland County R-1.      

The slow-paced parade has since evolved into a high-speed procession.

The skid marks prove just how dangerous the "Senior Chase" can be.
Monday morning six cars crashed into one another just about a block
from school.      

Three students were sent to the hospital, one with a broken
collar-bone. They have all since been treated and released.      

Scotland County R-1 Superintendent, Dave Shalley, says this tradition
is not a school-sanctioned event.

"It's similar to schools having Senior Skip Day. It's not something
that's on your calendar. You don't plan it. You don't have anything to
do with it. There's no school sponsorship to it at all," said Shalley.

Memphis Police Officer Michelle Miller escorted the students during
the "Senior Chase".

Meeting in executive session Tuesday night, the Memphis City Council
voted unanimously to accept Miller's resignation.

The council also voted 4-0 to suspend Memphis City Marshal Steve
Snodgrass without pay for 14 days starting August 28th.

In a statement, the council said Snodgrass was disciplined for failure
to follow a directive issued by the city council earlier this year.
The marshal was told his department was not to have any involvement in
the traditional "Senior Chases" that often occur on the first and last
days of school each year.

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That really is incredible.  And the police were part of it.!!! I hope
everybody involved goes to prison esp the cops.