LUCASVILLE, Ohio — It was a solemn day in southern Ohio Monday. Hundreds of people packed into Cornerstone Nazarene Church to say their final goodbyes to Lt. Rodney Osborne.
Lt. Osborne was shot and killed during a training exercise last week in Pickaway County. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is still investigating what exactly happened, but the ODRC has called it nothing more than a “tragic accident.”
Strong, a go-getter and a joker. Those are just some of the words people used to describe Lt. Osborne’s personality Monday. His family was there surrounded by law enforcement and corrections staff from all over the state and as far away as Connecticut and Oklahoma.
Lt. Osborne was recently named employee of the year at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility where he was the commander of the Special Response Team. The men and women he oversaw marching in uniform to salute their commander one last time.
Many in attendance were his colleagues from the SOCF. Sergeant Kim King worked closely with him and said he was nothing less than the best at everything he did.
“Anything he put his hands on was just magic,” Sgt. King said. “Everything he done, he excelled at. He was a magnificent human being, he really was. This one is a hard one to swallow.”
Out of respect for the family’s wishes, 10TVs cameras were not inside the church for the service. Lt. Osborne’s daughter gave a tearful goodbye to her father surrounded by family and ODRC members.
Some people didn’t even know Lt. Osborne until this past week. One such person was Chris Heisler, the president and founder of the United States Honor Flag. He opened the funeral service Monday.
“The impact Lt. Osborne made on this community and the state of Ohio was significant. That’s why you have officers from all over the country,” said Heisler. “The United States Honor Flag is here. A single American flag since 9/11 has honored thousands who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Every time that flag is handled or touched, brand new custom gloves are used and those gloves will be given to Lt. Osbornes family later today.”
Those who knew him said he controlled the room and even after he’s gone, he will still spread that magic.
“He will never be forgotten. He will be with us daily in our hearts. He won’t be forgotten. There’s no one like him,” said Sgt. King.
On the way to the cemetery, his procession passed beneath a large American flag supported by two ladder trucks from local fire departments.
Lt. Rodney Osborne leaves behind a wife, three children, a grandchild and many extended family.