COLUMBUS, Ohio — Colleagues and loved ones honored the life of a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy who died from complications due to COVID-19 last week.
Deputy Billy Ihrig served as a U.S. Marine for 13 years before joining the sheriff’s office in 2004. He died on Oct. 28 surrounded by loved ones, according to a post from the FCSO.
“We thank you for your service, Deputy Ihrig. You are loved,” a separate post reads.
“It’s a good example of a guy who wants to serve his community and his nation,” Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said. “And, he did it. He did it in the face of danger, multiple different dangers that they face, daily. This was tragic because this was an enemy you can’t even see. But, he’s still out there doing his job.”
Car 12 sat empty outside the funeral home Friday where friends and family gathered to pay their respects.
In honor of Ihrig’s service, there was a flag-folding ceremony, a 21-gun salute and a performance of TAPS, which was in part performed by his partner's 11-year-old son, Seth.
There was also a riderless horse in Ihrig’s honor, a last call on the radio and a performance of bagpipes. Many different law enforcement agencies from around central Ohio were at Friday’s ceremony.
A funeral procession followed the service, ending at Union Cemetery, located at 3349 Olentangy River Road.
You can watch the full ceremony in the player below:
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