A Fly-over, a 21-gun Salute and Taps

SPRINGFIELD — A flyover, 21-gun salute and rendition of “Taps” marked services at Myer’s Cemetery for fallen Clark County Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Waughtel Hopper.

  The shots pierced the silence over the heads of deputies and officers, stoic faces worn by this week’s despair.

  The shell casings from the salute will be packaged and given to Hopper’s family, said Rich Weiner, Columbus Honor Guard.

  Nearly two hours after the service ended at 12:45 p.m. Friday, vehicles in the two-mile long funeral procession were still leaving the church parking lot, located at 3638 Middle Urbana Road. They are making their way to Myers Cemetery near North Hampton, where Hopper will be laid to rest.

  Several people addressed the throng during the 45-minute service.

  The deputy’s husband, Matt Hopper, thanked mourners for their support in a brief statement.   “We lost an angel,” he said, his voice shaking. “I don’t know what else to say.”
  Hopper performed her duties at the Sheriff’s Office in an exemplary manner, Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly remarked. “On her last day of service, she volunteered for overtime, as usual,” said Kelly.
  Hopper was a kind and cheerful person who didn’t like to be the center of attention, her friend Miste Adams said. “If you ever spoke to her, I’m sure she called you 'sweetie,’” said Adams, addressing mourners during the service shortly after it started.

  A hushed and somber congregation looked on as deputies who worked closely with Hopper filed into the sanctuary and took seats on the altar above her flag-draped casket. Deputies stood guard near her coffin, which was flanked by two rows of flowers that stretched the length of the room.
  Services, which were schedule for 11 a.m., was delayed by nearly an hour as the two-mile long procession with nearly 2,000 vehicles made its way to the church.
  Law enforcement officers from across the state and as far away as Los Angeles were expected to attend.

Deputy Killed in Springfield, Ohio

Springfield Ohio


Law enforcement officers from across Ohio were among hundreds of mourners who paid their respects Thursday to a sheriff's deputy who was killed in a shootout on New Year's Day.

Clark County Deputy Suzanne Hopper died when she was shot at a mobile home park near Springfield in western Ohio. The suspected shooter also died, and a second officer was wounded.

At the visitation, many mourners waited in line for hours to pay tribute to the 40-year-old mother of two at First Christian Church.

Photos of Hopper rolled across two large screens above the altar. The Springfield News-Sun reports that a Clark County sheriff's sergeant clapped his hand over his mouth and tears welled up in his eyes when a photo appeared of the deputy as a young girl in pigtails.

Hopper's cruiser, adorned with red and white carnations, was parked at the entrance to the church.

Hopper's funeral will be held at the church Friday. Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly says he expects law enforcement officers from across the state and nation to attend.

Law Enforcement personnel from all over the country are in Ohio today to attend the funeral. There was a long line of people standing alongside the street at the entrance to the funeral home. A police car from California was seen. Her killer had done the same thing before, and was still free to do it again. She had answered a call of "Shots Fired" and was taking photographs at the scene when she was killed. Any death is tragic, this one seemed to "strike a chord" with the entire community. A senseless killing of a community servant.