Man sought in reckless driving crash that killed Milwaukee 911 dispatcher

Milwaukee police are asking the public for help locating Denzil Crosby, who is wanted in connection with the death of a Milwaukee 911 dispatcher.

The dispatcher, Deborah Harris, was killed just after midnight Monday after a driver fleeing police crashed into her car. Harris was driving on North 51st Street at West Vienna Street when she was struck and killed by a vehicle believed to have been driven by Crosby, police said.

Two passengers have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Harris, 62, had spent more than 32 years working as an emergency communications operator for the Milwaukee Police Department.

Crosby, 25, is described as a black, 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, with brown eyes and black shoulder-length dreadlocks.

Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360 or Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.

Harris is the second member of MPD to die from reckless driving in the last 12 months. Officer Kou Her died in June when a repeat drunken driver ran a red light and hit Her's car.

The suspect in Monday's crash also ran a red light, Chief Alfonso Morales said. Officers tried to pull over the driver about 12:30 a.m. at North 51st Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue for the traffic offense, but he sped off.

One minute later, officers lost sight of the vehicle, Morales said. Soon after, they encountered a crash at North 51st and West Vienna streets. The motorist had crashed into Harris, who was traveling on 51st.

Harris is survived by her husband, two children and two grandchildren, Morales said.

"Mrs. Deborah Harris worked for seven different police chiefs," he said. "She was well-known in our communications center. ... Very dedicated to the service and she will be greatly missed."

Contact Mary Spicuzza at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MSpicuzzaMJS.