VANCOUVER, Wash. — Hundreds of people paid their respects to fallen Deputy Justin DeRosier as his body was driven from Vancouver to Kelso on Monday night.
“We’re just here to pay tribute to a fallen hero,” said Brynnley Hunzeker.
“We just feel for the young mom and baby that aren’t able to have him come home,” added Jodi Hunzeker. “We’re out here letting them know we want to support them and do whatever we can for them.”
People stood on overpasses and lined the freeway as the hearse snaked its way north on I-5. There were plenty of first responders who paused to honor Deputy DeRosier.
“It hits us deep,” said Max Konkright of Clark County Fire & Rescue. “To have a brother this young under the circumstances is just heartbreaking so we’re out here to honor him.”
A large crowd greeted the motorcade at the funeral home in Kelso. It was clear Deputy DeRosier’s death is hitting the community hard. A good man died far too soon.
“Just honor him a little bit and his sacrifice,” said a 911 dispatcher of more than a decade.