LIGONIER, Pa. — A Ligonier Township police officer killed in the line of duty was laid to rest Saturday morning, with 500-600 people in attendance to pay their final respects.
Lt. Eric Eslary died early Tuesday while patrolling Route 30 when a wrong-way driver hit his police vehicle. His K-9 partner, Blek, who was in the vehicle with him at the time, is expected to recover.
Hundreds of emergency vehicles lined the funeral procession route from the funeral home to Holy Trinity Parish. An emotional service followed that included tributes to Eslary from fellow officers and friends.
Prior to the funeral, Trooper Steve Limani delivered the following message from Eslary's family:
"They wanted to tell everyone in the area, specifically in the Ligonier Valley area, how much Eric loved being a part of this community, how much he loved growing up here, ultimately getting a chance to work here and protect and serve the people that he cared so much for, and that if they had to have their husband and father stripped away from their family at such a young age, that it happened while he was protecting his extended family."
Eslary, who also served as a volunteer firefighter in Wilpen, was a husband and father of six. He and his wife each had three children, earning them the nickname, "The Brady Bunch."
K-9 officer Bob Derk was one of several to speak of Eslary at the funeral service.
Derk, who knew Eslary from high school and the police academy, remembered the officer for his love of people and the community, as well as for his sense of humor.
"He could make you laugh no matter how down and out you were," said Derk. "Eric has made a great impact on my life, and there's a hole in my heart that can't be filled."
Another speaker at the funeral remembered Eslary as a pillar of the Ligonier community.
"Eric was the face of this community, and he loved living here. When I visit town, I'd watch him go out of his way to say hi or hold the door for someone. I would jokingly call him the mayor of Ligonier," he said. "Today, I'm not saying goodbye to a friend, I'm saying goodbye to a brother."
Ligonier Borough Public Works Director Paul Fry spent recent days preparing the Ligonier community for Eslary's funeral. It wasn't an easy task because, like so many in the community, he knew Eslary.
"It's tough, but I just want to make our community look the best and to preserve and show the family what we have done to meet their needs the best," he said.
All over town, residents and business owners have shown their support for Eslary's family.
Signs of support were on display, including one at a business that read, "Lt. Eslary, thank you for serving Ligonier." Another sign read, "God bless Lt. Eric Eslary. Rest in Peace."
"It's very sad. It's a small community, so it touches everyone," said business owner Laurie McGinnis.
Hundreds of men and women in uniform marched solemnly down East Main Street in Ligonier Thursday evening, paying tribute to their fallen brother.
"We may all not know each other, but when something like this happens, we all feel the pain," said Unity Township Police Chief Scot Graham.
On Saturday, Eslary's wife, Mary Beth, posted a photo of the couple on Facebook, along with the message, "I am not ready to tell you goodbye. Rest easy my love I will take it from here and continue to make you proud. But, when I do something silly I expect to feel your (look) frowning on me. I will look up and smile. You are the love of my life."
Donations to Lt. Eslary's family are being accepted at the following places:
Washington Financial
C/O/ Eric Eslary
3616 Washington Road
McMurray, PA 15317
Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation
337 Winners Circle
Canonsburg, PA 15317
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