Dr. Wesley Gustafson, 75

Gustafson grew up in Galveston, served in the Navy during the Korean War, and delivered more than 800 babies as a family doctor. "He loved everyone, with money or without," said Sharon Petree, Gustafson's former nurse. "He would treat people for free."

His family practice started in Memorial Hospital Downtown, and continued until the day he died. During his practice of medicine, he delivered over 800 babies, and took care of all of his patients as though they were family. His bedside manner will be dearly missed by all those who experienced it. "

Family, Friends Remember Innocent Man Killed In Chase 
By Elizabeth Scarborough, Click2Houston.com
POSTED: July 29, 2008 
HOUSTON -- Friends and family of an innocent man killed during a police chase Monday reflected on his life hours after his death, KPRC Local 2.

Wesley Gustafson Jr. celebrated his 75th birthday this month. 

"He just turned 75, looking forward to 80," son Wesley Gustafson III said. 

A nearby store had surveillance of him walking from his red SUV Monday morning.

"It's a very shocking experience," Wesley Gustafson III said. "I hope no other family ever has to go through this." 

Police said the chase lasted about 10 minutes. The suspect was speeding and hit two other cars during the pursuit, investigators said. The suspected burglar's car was initially recognized in connection with several burglaries in Harris County, detectives said. Investigators said the suspected burglar also had two warrants out for his arrest. One was from Louisiana.

Police said the pursuit was within their chase policy. 

"We have a felon who chose to make that call," Lt. Bill Sala said. "He was not concerned about anyone else. Who knows how it far would have gone if he hadn't been stopped." Some of Gustafson's friends said that policy needs to be reexamined. 

"We can follow people until (they) run out of gas, but today an innocent man died," friend Dick Tindal said. "I think that's terrible."

Police said they are reviewing the chase and their policy. 

The suspected burglar's identity has not been released, but police said he will face a felony murder charge. 

Copyright 2008 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved; reprinted with permission.