Police cars line up in a procession honoring Officer Copeland. (Photo: WCLO)
A cold and dreary day was not enough to stop many Janesville residents from lining the funeral procession route for fallen McFarland Police Officer Ryan Copeland.
The K-9 officer died last week when his vehicle collided head-on with a truck driven by a DNR employee. Copeland died at the scene, while the other driver suffered only minor injuries. Funeral services were held Tuesday, and dozens of police cars escorted the officer’s remains to Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Ron Dobie, a police Chaplain in Stoughton, stood in the cold wind on a sidewalk near Milton Avenue as the procession moved by. “There’s a brotherhood there, he said. “They share things, and they’re sharing the loss and want to share the comfort they can bring by their presence.”
AUDIO: Janesville residents say it was important to view the procession (:29)
Others said they felt it was important to show respect for Copeland, and for all officers who put their lives at risk to protect the public.
WCLO