Officer David Tinsley suffered a fatal heart attack after a brief foot pursuit of a man driving a pickup truck recently reported stolen in New Haven.

   Upon observing a vehicle matching the description, Officer Tinsley attempted a traffic stop when the driver sped away and a pursuit began near Southcrest and Kent roads.

   After the suspect entered the Candlelite Apartments, he drove northbound onto the St. Marys Pathway of the Rivergreenway Trail at the rear of the complex and struck a tree.

   The man then fled on foot where Officer Tinsley, his officer in training and a K-9 officer searched for him and was apprehended in a wooded area just off the greenway.

   While walking back to their squad car, he collapsed of a heart attack. He was taken to St. Joseph Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

   The 49-year-old suspect subsequently pleaded guilty to felony counts of burglary, resisting law enforcement and operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life.

   He was sentenced to three years in prison, while the charges of auto theft, criminal mischief and criminal trespass were dismissed.

   After being released in 2020, he served three years probation and discharged in 2023.

   Officer Tinsley was assigned to the Southeast Division. He was survived by his wife, Kristina (née Jackson); sons, Ian (Rachel) and Tyler (Kori); daughter, Alexandra; parents, Albert and Bonnie; brothers, Albert (Leann) and Scott; and sister, Lane (Richard) Vargas.