FOND DU LAC, Wis. (NBC 26) -- On Wednesday afternoon Fond Du Lac police officer Joseph Kurer was laid to rest after losing his battle with COVID-19. Local law enforcement honored the 26-year-old officer with a police procession that stretched throughout downtown Fond du Lac to acknowledge the budding officer's service.
Hundreds of people lined the streets in Fond du Lac Wednesday afternoon to pay their respects to officer Joseph Kurer.
"Pretty amazing. I was not expecting this to happen. It's amazing how many people came out for one person," says Fond du Lac native Julie Nimmer who watched the procession.
Kurer is believed to have contracted COVID-19 while serving his community, he's the third officer in Fond du Lac in ten years considered to have died in the line of duty.
"These are three families that now no longer have either a spouse, a son, or a father," says Carol Thompson who also showed up to the procession to pay her respects.
The dangers of serving in law enforcement have perhaps never been as prevalent as they are today, and COVID has become our community's latest threat.
"I have a two-year-old grandson that has just been diagnosed with it hits pretty close to home," adds Nimmer.
But when a community like this comes together to recognize the selfless service all too many members of law enforcement put forth, it sets a tone, a somber one at that; but a tone of gratitude.
"These are men and women who every day get up and go to work. Whether it's the morning, afternoon, or midnight shifts, their families never know if they're coming home," adds Thompson who is appreciative of the service that men and women in law enforcement put forth.
