KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Hundreds of people filled the square in front of Wyandotte County's city hall to honor fallen Officer Hunter Simoncic.
Simoncic was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday morning while assisting with a police chase. Since then, there has been a wide outpouring of support for the Kansas native.
Thursday was an emotional night paying tribute to one of Kansas City, Kansas police department's finest.
Many people came early to leave flowers and pray in front of the KCKPD memorial car. Everyone came together to light a candle in memory of Simoncic's sacrifice.
Friends and family shared powerful testimony during Thursday night's service. Hunter's long time friend, who is a sheriff deputy with Greenwood County, Kansas, gave an emotional speech explaining Simoncic died doing what he was called to do.
"I can't express the pain it brings me to peak about [Hunter] in the past tense," Deputy Blake Fisher said. "I will forever cherish your quirky smile which brought so much joy to everyone around you. I'm sorry you have become another statistic in the line of duty deaths. I'm sorry you gave everything for a job that is often thankless."
What we heard on Thursday night was what we have been hearing all week; Hunter Simoncic was more than a uniform.
KCKPD Chief Karl Oakman spoke about how much Simoncic overcame to do his job, like not letting a stutter slow him down. He would voluntarily read to second grade students at Kansas City Kansas Public Schools.
Chief Oakman explained Simoncic loved this community and that came across in everything he did.
"He [told me], I picked a community to serve that needed people to serve them," Chief Oakman said. "This is a young man that at only 26, Hunter knew his purpose. He gave his life for his serving."
Previous coverage on Simoncic's impact at Banneker Elementary and Mission Barbell Club can be found here.
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