NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Funeral services took place Wednesday to honor the Nelsonville police officer who died in a crash last week.
Nelsonville police said officer Scott Dawley, 43, was involved in a crash with two other vehicles at East Canal Street near Hocking Street on Aug. 3.
Police said Dawley was responding to a report of shots fired just before 2:30 p.m. when the crash occurred.
Dawley was flown to O'Bleness hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Dawley's funeral services were held at Nelsonville-York High School at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Dawley will then be buried at Carbon Hill Cemetery.
You can watch the procession here:
Dawley's family slowly walked out of the high school dressed in black as his casket followed behind.
It took a large high school auditorium to fit the more than 100 police officers from across Ohio along with family and friends who came to pay their respects.
After the funeral, the procession cut through the heart of the town and through two fire ladders crossed with a US flag hanging between them.
Dozens of people lined the street to say goodbye to an officer known for his smile, and easy-going nature.
“Every day at lunch he was the one who would joke around with the students he was one of the greatest cops I've ever known,” said Matthew Warrener of Nelsonville who said he met officer Dawley at Tri-County Career Center.
For Doris Wilderman, the tragic loss of a hometown hero hits close to home.
“My son went through the academy with him, he was his best friend. He always had a smile, funny, he will be missed,” she said.
Dawley, a 7-year veteran of the Nelsonville Police Department, leaves behind his wife and four kids.
In lieu of flowers, Dawley's family is suggesting memorial contributions be made to the Nelsonville Home and Savings Bank on West Washington Street.
