LITTLETON, Colo. — Law enforcement agencies from around the state gathered at a church in Littleton on Wednesday to pay their respects to Golden Police Officer Evan Dunn.
The 33-year-old was killed in the line of duty last week. He was hit by a suspected DUI driver while responding to another call.
Wednesday’s service was closed to the public as Dunn’s family asked for privacy at this time, but many people in the community lined the streets around Mission Hills Church to pay their respects.
Lesa Higgins was one of those individuals who spent the morning along Southpark Drive to show her support.
“You know I have kids that are 32 and 34 and when I saw the young man's age, you know, it hits really close to home,” Higgins said as she began to hold back years. “It just feels very close to home and I just feel very devastated for the family.”
Devastation was apparent along the procession route. Many individuals that held up flags in support of the Dunn family said they also had family in law enforcement and fear for the day they may get a similar call.
Kenzie Kimmel unfortunately already had.
“My brother was Sgt. Nevada Krinkee. He was killed in February of this year in Sheridan, Wyoming, in the line of duty and so we were the ones in the procession and we got to see his community come out and it was incredible,” Kimmel said. “I mean nothing helps, but in a way, it did help to know how much he meant to his community.”
In addition to dozens of neighbors, more than 200 police vehicles formed a “blue tunnel” for Dunn’s procession. As the procession made its way to the church, many stood in silence as it passed by.
Higgins said that’s how it should be.
“I don't know what I would say or what I would want to hear if it was my child,” Higgins said. “I think that's when words are inadequate, and you just have to be a presence.”
If there's one thing many people hope others will take away from this loss is to be careful on the roads. A lot of the people 9NEWS spoke to urged drivers to pay attention and obey the Move Over law.