Arkansas honors life of Officer Stephen Carr

SERVANT, DEVOTED TO HELPING OTHERS. >> The Reporter: OFFICER CARR WAS A PROTECTOR OF OUR COMMUNITY. HE WAS A SERVANT LEADER WITH A KIND, EASY GOING AND FRIENDLY PERSON. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY, AND HE CARED FOR HIS FRIENDS. HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES HONORING HIM TODAY. FOR A LIFE THAT ENDED TOO SOON. BUT A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE MAN WHO SERVED HONORABLY. HIS FRIEND, DAVID LEHMAN SPOKE OF OFFICER CARR' PRESENCE. AT 6'4", HE STAYED HE WAS A STANDOUT ATHLETE WHO HAD AN EASY, NATURAL WAY OF MAKING YOU FEEL PROTECTED WITH YOU WERE AROUND HIM. HIS UNCLE, BRIAN CARR, TOLD STORIES OF HIS NEPHEW'S CHARMING PERSONALITY. OFFICER CARR LOVED TO COOK AND HE WAS A BIG SPORTS F SPORTS FAN COULDN'T RESIST A BIT OF ROUGH HOUSING WITH HIS FAMILY. >> NEXT THING YOU KNOW, I'M FLYING THROUGH THE AIR, MY FACE IS IN THE GRASS, I'M ROLLED UP LIKE A PRETZEL, AND STEPHEN IS ON TOP OF ME AND AT THIS TIME I HEAR MY BROTHER PAUL SAYING, GET OFF HIM, YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK HIS NECK. STEPHEN WAS ALL ABOUT COMPETITION, HAVING FUN, FULL OF LIFE. JUST THE BEST KID I'VE EVER KNOWN. >> The Reporter: FAYETTEVILLE POLICE CHIEF MIKE REYNOLDS ALSO SPOKE TODAY. HE TALKED ABOUT STEPHEN'S DEPENDABILITY AS AN OFFICER. HE SAID THAT OFFICER CARR SERVED AS AN EXAMPLE, EVEN TO THOSE WHO WERE HIS SENIORS. CHIEF REYNOLDS ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE HEROES WHO STEPPED IN THAT NIGHT, SAYING THAT THEY WERE ALSO PART OF WHAT MADE THE FAYETTEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT A PART OF SERVING OUR COMMUNITY. HE SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH DECEMBER 7th WILL BE THE WORST DAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE FAYETTEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TODAY SERVED AS A TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO A MAN WHO GAVE EVERYTHING TO SERVE HIS COMMUNITIES. ANOTHER TOUCHING MOMENT THAT HAPPENED TODAY WAS WHEN THE FALLEN OFFICER WAS HONORED WITH A 21-GUN SALUTE. 40/29'S BRETT RAINS IS LIVE FOR US OUTSIDE OF BUD WALTON ARENA WITH MORE ON THAT TRIBUTE. >> The Reporter: WELL, AS THE FUNERAL ENDED, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FILLED THE SIDEWALKS HERE OUTSIDE OF BUD WALTON ARENA, AS OFFICER CARR WAS GIVEN TOP HONORS. >> PRESENT. >> The Reporter: OFFICERS STOOD AT ATTENTION OVER THE FLAG-DRAPED CASKET OF OFFICER STEPHEN CARR. [GUNFIRE ♪ >> The Reporter: AFTER THE 21-GUN SALUTE, OFFICER CARR'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT THE FAYETTEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT SALUTED AS TAPS PLAYED. THE AMERICAN FLAG WAS FOLDED AND GIVEN TO FAMILY MEMBERS. MANY PEOPLE HERE SAY THEY OWED IT TO THE FALLEN OFFICER TO BE HERE TODAY TO HONOR HIM. >> MY BROTHER HAS BEEN BEST FRIENDS WITH STEVE SINCE 2011. SO HE'S LIKE AN OLDER BROTHER TO ME. AND I FELT I HAD TO BE HERE. I MISS HIM, I'M ALL OVER THE PLACE. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO THINK, I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. I'M STRUGGLING, LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. >> The Reporter: AND COMING UP TONIGHT AT 6:00 P.M., WE'LL HEAR FROM TWO DEPUTIES WHO CAME ALL THE WAY FROM CALIFORNIA TO BE HERE TO HONOR THE FALLEN OFFICER. LIVE-IN FAYETTEVILLE, BRETT RAINS, 40/29 NEWS. ALLISON, BACK TO YOU. >> The Reporter: THANK YOU, FOR THAT BRETT. ANOTHER SPECIAL MOMENT THAT MANY OF US WERE ABLE TO WITNESS DURING TODAY'S SERVICE. FOR NOW, WE'RE GOING TO SEND IT BACK TO THE STUDIO. PAIGE AND CRAIG, BACK TO YOU. CRAIG: OK. PAIGE: BEFORE OF THE FUNERAL, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LINED OFFICER CARR'S PROCESSION ROUTE IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE. CRAIG: IT WAS. JAMIE WEISS WAS WITH THEM AT THE FIRE STATION ON CROSSOVER. >> The Reporter: JOHNSON POLICE BLOCKED OFF OLD BRIAR ROAD MAKING IT SO THE ONLY THING YOU COULD HEAR ON THE PROCESSIONAL WAS THE WIND BLOWING. THAT PROCESSIONAL DROVE THROUGH CROSSOVER ROAD AND WE SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE STATION FOR FAYETTEVILLE STATION 5. WHILE THERE, WE SAW FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND INDIVIDUALS ALL LINED UP TO PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS TO OFFICER CARR. >> I WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE POLICE CARS FROM LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, TEXT TEXARKANA, ARKAN IT'S AMAZING NOT ONLY HOW OUR TOWNS CAME TOGETHER, WE WENT TO THE VIGIL ON TUESDAY NIGHT, BUT ALSO TO SEE OUR STATE. WE'RE ALL MOURNING. >> The Reporter: THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF FIREFIGHTERS WHO WERE OUTSIDE OF THAT FIRE STATION TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS. THE MAJORITY WERE ACTUALLY BEHIND ME ON RAZORBACK ROAD, HOLDING UP AN AMERICAN FLAG. COMING UP TONIGHT ON 40/29 NEWS AT 6:00 P.M., WE'LL HEAR FROM THE FIRE STATION THAT ACTUALLY STEPPED UP TO MAKE SURE FAYETTEVILLE FIREFIGHTERS COULD PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS. WE'RE REPORTING LIVE-IN FAYETTEVILLE, JUST A MINUTE ME WEISS 40/29 NEWS. CRAIG: SOME STUDENTS FROM HAPPY HOLLOW ELEMENTARY LINED THE PROCESSION ROUTE. PAIGE: AND WE'RE JOINED WITH HEM MA WITH MORE ON WHY THE TEACHERS WANTED THE STUDENTS TO BE THERE. >> The Reporter: THIRD AND FOURTH GRADERS AT HAPPY HOLLOW ELEMENTARY LINED THE STREETS TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS AS OFFICER CARR'S FUNERAL PROCESSION MADE ITS WAY THROUGH FAYETTEVILLE. >> MOST OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS, AND I HOPE THEY NEVER HAVE TO AGAIN, BUT WE CERTAINLY WANTED THEM TO BE PREPARED, THIS IS NOT A PARADE AND FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE NORMS OF HOW DO WE SHOW THE HONOR. >> The Reporter: STUDENTS LINED THE SIDEWALKS, FLAGS IN HAND, TO HONOR A FALLEN HERO, OFFICER STEPHEN CARR. >> WE GAVE THEM THE FLAG AND SAID THIS FLAG WILL SPEAK FOR YOU. WAVE THAT AND SHOW YOUR HONOR. >> The Reporter: HANDS OVER HEARTS, SOME STUDENTS EVEN SALUTING AS DOZENS MUCH LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLLOWED OFFICER CARR'S CASKET, THE STUDENTS RECOGNIZING OFFICER CARR'S ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND HIS VOW TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF FAYETTEVILLE. >> IT'S ONE OF THINGS THAT'S UNTHINKABLE. >> THAT'S A REFLECTION OF WHO FAYETTEVILLE IS. THE HORRIBLE EVENTS OF LAST SATURDAY NIGHT, THAT'S NOT FAYETTEVILLE AND THIS IS A CARING COMMUNITY. >> The Reporter: LEARNING ABOUT HONOR, RESPECT AND SACRIFICE, ALL THINGS OFFICER CARR REFLECTED TO THE COMMUNITY, HONORING OFFICER CARR'S LIFE AND PICKING UP SOME IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS ALONG THE WAY. >> UNFORTUNATELY, BAD THINGS HAPPEN, THEY'RE RARE, BUT YOU CAN'T LIVE YOUR LIFE IN FEAR. JUST CONCENTRATE ON DOING THE BEST YOU CAN AND BEING KIND AND CARING. >> The Reporter: STUDENTS AT FAYETTEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ALSO WATCHED THE PROCESSION TODAY. REPORTING L

Arkansans gathered in Fayetteville Thursday to honor the life of fallen police officer Stephen Carr.Carr was shot and killed in his patrol car Saturday night in what the police chief called an "ambush." The suspect was shot and killed on the scene.Carr's body was escorted from the Nelson Barna Funeral Home. It was brought to Bud Walton Arena for a funeral, which was open to the public. One friend spoke with 40/29 about Carr's life.David Layman lived with Carr for four years in college. He said Carr came from a law enforcement family and always knew he wanted to be a police officer."Stephen was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was always laughing, smiling, and joking around. He was an extremely loyal friend," Layman said.Layman said Carr was more than a friend. He was family. He said he always worried about Carr when he was on the job."I didn't believe it when I heard it. I still kind of feel like I'm going to wake up from the bad dream. I know it's really happening, but I'm still kind of in shock, and I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that he's gone," he said.Dozens of people left flowers and hand-written letters at a memorial for Carr outside of the Fayetteville Police Department. A candlelight vigil was held on Dickson Street.Police Chief Mike Reynolds addressed the crowd and thanked the community for "wrapping their arms around the police department and saying...no one is going to hurt this police department."Reynolds fondly remembered Carr as a "gentle giant" with an "infectious smile.""He wanted to serve you, he wanted to serve this community, and he wanted to make his father proud," Reynolds said.Local businesses, bars and restaurants, along Dickson Street changed their lights to blue for the #LightTheCityBlue413 campaign. Razorback Stadium was lit blue Tuesday night in his honor.Layman said the outpouring of support from the community is not surprising because Carr touched so many lives."I've seen posts from people that worked on Dickson and spoke about how kind he was and friendly. They said he would always check in on them. That's the kind of guy he was," Layman said. "I'm extremely proud of him and the impact he made on so many people."Carr loved to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing. He played football with Layman at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri.Layman said Carr stuck with him through the good times and the bad times."If I could see him one more time, I'd tell him how much I loved him. I would give him a big 'ole hug. He was a big man, but he was a teddy bear," Layman said. "I'd tell him how much I love him and how proud I am of him for being so selfless and doing a job he knew was dangerous."Lowell Mayor Chris Moore spoke to 40/29 News and said city lines do not separate this region, and, during times of tragedy, it's important to join together as one community."Our family in Lowell is supportive of our Brothers in Blue and the department in Fayetteville. We need to be here for each other. We back each other up. There's no reason for tragedies such as this. It's happening in other places, and we need to look for ways to make this a better place," Moore said.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —

Arkansans gathered in Fayetteville Thursday to honor the life of fallen police officer Stephen Carr.

Carr was shot and killed in his patrol car Saturday night in what the police chief called an "ambush." The suspect was shot and killed on the scene.

Carr's body was escorted from the Nelson Barna Funeral Home. It was brought to Bud Walton Arena for a funeral, which was open to the public.

One friend spoke with 40/29 about Carr's life.

David Layman lived with Carr for four years in college. He said Carr came from a law enforcement family and always knew he wanted to be a police officer.

"Stephen was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was always laughing, smiling, and joking around. He was an extremely loyal friend," Layman said.

Layman said Carr was more than a friend. He was family. He said he always worried about Carr when he was on the job.

"I didn't believe it when I heard it. I still kind of feel like I'm going to wake up from the bad dream. I know it's really happening, but I'm still kind of in shock, and I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that he's gone," he said.

Dozens of people left flowers and hand-written letters at a memorial for Carr outside of the Fayetteville Police Department. A candlelight vigil was held on Dickson Street.

Police Chief Mike Reynolds addressed the crowd and thanked the community for "wrapping their arms around the police department and saying...no one is going to hurt this police department."

Reynolds fondly remembered Carr as a "gentle giant" with an "infectious smile."

"He wanted to serve you, he wanted to serve this community, and he wanted to make his father proud," Reynolds said.

Local businesses, bars and restaurants, along Dickson Street changed their lights to blue for the #LightTheCityBlue413 campaign. Razorback Stadium was lit blue Tuesday night in his honor.

Layman said the outpouring of support from the community is not surprising because Carr touched so many lives.

"I've seen posts from people that worked on Dickson and spoke about how kind he was and friendly. They said he would always check in on them. That's the kind of guy he was," Layman said. "I'm extremely proud of him and the impact he made on so many people."

Carr loved to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing. He played football with Layman at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri.

Layman said Carr stuck with him through the good times and the bad times.

"If I could see him one more time, I'd tell him how much I loved him. I would give him a big 'ole hug. He was a big man, but he was a teddy bear," Layman said. "I'd tell him how much I love him and how proud I am of him for being so selfless and doing a job he knew was dangerous."

Lowell Mayor Chris Moore spoke to 40/29 News and said city lines do not separate this region, and, during times of tragedy, it's important to join together as one community.

"Our family in Lowell is supportive of our Brothers in Blue and the department in Fayetteville. We need to be here for each other. We back each other up. There's no reason for tragedies such as this. It's happening in other places, and we need to look for ways to make this a better place," Moore said.

Arkansas honors life of Officer Stephen Carr

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