Arkansans gathered in Fayetteville Thursday to honor the life of fallen police officer Stephen Carr.Carr was shot and killed in his patrol car Saturday night in what the police chief called an "ambush." The suspect was shot and killed on the scene.Carr's body was escorted from the Nelson Barna Funeral Home. It was brought to Bud Walton Arena for a funeral, which was open to the public. One friend spoke with 40/29 about Carr's life.David Layman lived with Carr for four years in college. He said Carr came from a law enforcement family and always knew he wanted to be a police officer."Stephen was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was always laughing, smiling, and joking around. He was an extremely loyal friend," Layman said.Layman said Carr was more than a friend. He was family. He said he always worried about Carr when he was on the job."I didn't believe it when I heard it. I still kind of feel like I'm going to wake up from the bad dream. I know it's really happening, but I'm still kind of in shock, and I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that he's gone," he said.Dozens of people left flowers and hand-written letters at a memorial for Carr outside of the Fayetteville Police Department. A candlelight vigil was held on Dickson Street.Police Chief Mike Reynolds addressed the crowd and thanked the community for "wrapping their arms around the police department and saying...no one is going to hurt this police department."Reynolds fondly remembered Carr as a "gentle giant" with an "infectious smile.""He wanted to serve you, he wanted to serve this community, and he wanted to make his father proud," Reynolds said.Local businesses, bars and restaurants, along Dickson Street changed their lights to blue for the #LightTheCityBlue413 campaign. Razorback Stadium was lit blue Tuesday night in his honor.Layman said the outpouring of support from the community is not surprising because Carr touched so many lives."I've seen posts from people that worked on Dickson and spoke about how kind he was and friendly. They said he would always check in on them. That's the kind of guy he was," Layman said. "I'm extremely proud of him and the impact he made on so many people."Carr loved to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing. He played football with Layman at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri.Layman said Carr stuck with him through the good times and the bad times."If I could see him one more time, I'd tell him how much I loved him. I would give him a big 'ole hug. He was a big man, but he was a teddy bear," Layman said. "I'd tell him how much I love him and how proud I am of him for being so selfless and doing a job he knew was dangerous."Lowell Mayor Chris Moore spoke to 40/29 News and said city lines do not separate this region, and, during times of tragedy, it's important to join together as one community."Our family in Lowell is supportive of our Brothers in Blue and the department in Fayetteville. We need to be here for each other. We back each other up. There's no reason for tragedies such as this. It's happening in other places, and we need to look for ways to make this a better place," Moore said.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansans gathered in Fayetteville Thursday to honor the life of fallen police officer Stephen Carr.
Carr was shot and killed in his patrol car Saturday night in what the police chief called an "ambush." The suspect was shot and killed on the scene.
Carr's body was escorted from the Nelson Barna Funeral Home. It was brought to Bud Walton Arena for a funeral, which was open to the public.
One friend spoke with 40/29 about Carr's life.
David Layman lived with Carr for four years in college. He said Carr came from a law enforcement family and always knew he wanted to be a police officer.
"Stephen was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was always laughing, smiling, and joking around. He was an extremely loyal friend," Layman said.
Layman said Carr was more than a friend. He was family. He said he always worried about Carr when he was on the job.
"I didn't believe it when I heard it. I still kind of feel like I'm going to wake up from the bad dream. I know it's really happening, but I'm still kind of in shock, and I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that he's gone," he said.
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Dozens of people left flowers and hand-written letters at a memorial for Carr outside of the Fayetteville Police Department. A candlelight vigil was held on Dickson Street.
Police Chief Mike Reynolds addressed the crowd and thanked the community for "wrapping their arms around the police department and saying...no one is going to hurt this police department."
Reynolds fondly remembered Carr as a "gentle giant" with an "infectious smile."
"He wanted to serve you, he wanted to serve this community, and he wanted to make his father proud," Reynolds said.
Local businesses, bars and restaurants, along Dickson Street changed their lights to blue for the #LightTheCityBlue413 campaign. Razorback Stadium was lit blue Tuesday night in his honor.
Layman said the outpouring of support from the community is not surprising because Carr touched so many lives.
"I've seen posts from people that worked on Dickson and spoke about how kind he was and friendly. They said he would always check in on them. That's the kind of guy he was," Layman said. "I'm extremely proud of him and the impact he made on so many people."
Carr loved to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing. He played football with Layman at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri.
Layman said Carr stuck with him through the good times and the bad times.
"If I could see him one more time, I'd tell him how much I loved him. I would give him a big 'ole hug. He was a big man, but he was a teddy bear," Layman said. "I'd tell him how much I love him and how proud I am of him for being so selfless and doing a job he knew was dangerous."
Lowell Mayor Chris Moore spoke to 40/29 News and said city lines do not separate this region, and, during times of tragedy, it's important to join together as one community.
"Our family in Lowell is supportive of our Brothers in Blue and the department in Fayetteville. We need to be here for each other. We back each other up. There's no reason for tragedies such as this. It's happening in other places, and we need to look for ways to make this a better place," Moore said.