HOWARD COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Evan Hulett stood with his hands behind his back in front of Deputy Carl Koontz’ memorial. Flowers, flags and crosses were placed in front of the fallen deputy’s squad car.
Hulett arrived to the area around 8 a.m. Tuesday, he stood in and out of position for seven hours waiting for Deputy Koontz’s hearse to arrive.
“We stand in this position to show respect, we are standing tall for him,” said Hulett.
Others stood by the memorial with flags in hands, some had shirts on their backs that said Koontz, while others just waited patiently for the procession to arrive.
A dump truck set in a parking lot across the street with the name of Koontz engraved on the side of the truck.
“It’s good to see the community support and represent and show some respect,” said Bill Kaiser, as he stood outside with others.
The large crowd eventually formed a line down Markland Avenue.
“It’s important, not just to the officers that have fallen, but to all the officers that wake up every morning and keep doing what they are doing to protect us,” said Jami Jeffery, who placed some roses on the memorial.
The crowd stood in silence as the hearse made a stop in front of the Howard County Sheriff Department as dispatched played the 10-42, which marks an officer’s final tour of duty.
As dispatch read the final good-byes, the procession continued down Markland Avenue to the cemetery.
