NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) —A celebration of life was held Tuesday for Master Patrol Officer Spencer Bristol, who was killed when he was hit by a vehicle in the line of duty. The 31-year-old United States Navy veteran leaves behind a wife and three-year-old daughter.
Hundreds gathered to say their final goodbyes at First Baptist Church on Bluegrass Commons Boulevard. A visitation was held at 9 a.m. with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m.
On Monday, several officers from Hendersonville escorted his casket from Memory Gardens Funeral Home to First Baptist Church before hundreds attended his visitation.
Hendersonville police invited the public to line Main Street for the funeral procession beginning at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday. Children were encouraged to blow bubbles for Bristol’s three-year-old daughter.
News 2 Gives Back: Fundraiser for family of fallen Hendersonville officer
Several area restaurants are donating a portion of their proceeds to Bristol’s family, according to the Hendersonville police department’s Facebook page. Donations can also be made to a fund set up at Volunteer State Bank by the 100 Club of Sumner County.
“You simply ask folks, well what can we do and you realize there is probably not a lot that we can do,” 100 Club of Sumner County Secretary Johnny Garrett said.
The club started four years ago to help the families financially after a first responder is killed. Officer Bristol is their first.
“Within 48 hours we sent a check to Mrs. Bristol for $10,000 for her immediate assistance for anything she might need. And that is what we want to do. We are an organization that will hopefully be able to pay off the family’s debts so they can at least have one less thing to worry about after a tragedy of this caliber,” Garrett said.
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