ELK GROVE, Calif. — The streets of Elk Grove were somber Tuesday morning as the body of Officer Tyler "Ty" Lenehan passed through the city he served one last time.
Lenehan was killed on Friday, Jan. 21 in a wrong-way crash caused by a suspected DUI driver on Highway 99.
On Tuesday, crowds lined up to pay their respects to Lenehan, his family and fellow officers. People ABC10 spoke to said they attended the procession as a way to say thank you for his years of service.
Lenehan joined EGPD in 2016. He was a six-year veteran of the police department. He took pride in serving his community and his work was recognized by all in Elk Grove. He also served with the Citrus Heights and Galt police departments.
According to EGPD Chief Timothy Albright, Lenehan was a husband, a father to his two children, a son, a friend, a proud U.S. Air Force veteran and a family member to those at the department.
"Officer Lenehan’s service will never be forgotten. His positive attitude, infectious smile, and bright personality will forever be missed," EGPD said in a press release.
Travis McCann, a father of a police officer, attended the procession. He said as a parent of a first responder, you don't rest easy.
"We know how things are," McCann said. "You just never know when you’re going to get a call. So you have to live with that.”
"It really hits hard," said Joy Yip, a member of the Elk Grove Police Department Advisory Board. "It’s just to close to home, and you can’t even believe that it could be one of our very own that it would happen to."
Also attending the procession was Coleen Brophy, who said Officer Lenehan patrolled her neighborhood and became a close friend, even after he wrote her a ticket for running a stop sign on her street.
"I could not believe that it was the same officer that we had become close to over all these years," Brophy said. "I mean what a terrible tragedy that is."
Public viewings have also been scheduled for Jan. 27 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Jan. 28 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. once Officer Lenehan arrives at the Green Valley Mortuary.
The funeral for Officer Lenehan will be Feb. 1 at 10:00 a.m. at Bayside Church Adventure Campus in Roseville.
RELATED:
- Elk Grove police officer killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 99 identified as Tyler Lenehan
- 'Ty was a bright light of personality' | Family remembers fallen Elk Grove Police Officer Tyler Lenehan
- 'My heart goes out to his family' | Friends of Elk Grove Police Officer Tyler Lenehan share memories a day after his death
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