Lawrence police officer killed after car crashes into pole

LAWRENCE, Kan. - An off-duty Lawrence police officer was killed when the car he was driving crashed into a pole early Wednesday morning.

Matthew Klock, 29, died after his Nissan hit a light pole near W. 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive around 2:15 a.m., according to the Lawrence Police Department.

Fellow officers, friends and family were seen gathering at Klock's north Lawrence home Wednesday evening, including neighbor David Graham.

"He's a huge loss to the neighborhood and community. No doubt about it. He's irreplaceable," Graham said. "He'd always check on us, make sure we were safe all the time, whether he was off duty or on duty."

Graham described Klock as an unselfish friend who would lend a hand to anyone in need.

"(He) was such a great member to the community. He was always up here in the north part, and he's just an unbelievable guy," Graham said. "He'd do anything for anybody."

According the Lawrence Police Department's website, the intersection where Klock died has had five crashes in the last two months and is one of the most accident-prone intersections in the city.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Klock wasn't wearing his seat belt when he crashed. They are still investigating the wreck.

Klock had been with the department since 2007. He worked as an evening patrolman. 

Graham said Klock and his girlfriend got engaged about two months ago.