CLOVERDALE, Ind. — The Cloverdale community honored one of their own Sunday.
Hundreds of people with heavy hearts stopped by Hendricks County Sheriff's Deputy Fred Fislar's former high school to say their final goodbyes.
Some of them even stopped by Fislar's squad car on their way inside. They couldn't help but shed tears over the flowers, teddy bears and kind messages covering it.
"It's just really been a terrible week for everyone," said Kim Fidler, a family friend.
According to the Hendricks County Sheriff's Department, a call came in late Monday, April 15 for a car that had crashed into a utility pole on South State Road 267, just north of Plainfield. The pole was shattered, with electrical wires hanging down.
Fislar got to the scene just before midnight.
Minutes later, according to the sheriff's department, a passerby found him on the ground and used Fislar's police radio to call for help.
Investigators say Fislar had come into contact with the hanging electrical lines. He died a short time later at Eskenazi Hospital.
Inside during the funeral service, they listened to his end of watch call, symbolizing his end of service.
Law enforcement agencies are choosing to remember Fislar through his acts of service and dedication to his community.
"As we carry on serving the citizens of Hendricks County, we are going to do so with integrity and courage in Fred's honor," Hendricks County Sheriff Jack Sadler said.
"Unselfish service. He was the epitome of that as a United States Marine, as a proud father, husband, and son, and as a peer and mentor to many people," Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said. "He had only been around for a couple of years, but he had a profound impact."
It's an impact those who knew him before the badge said they will never forget.
"He was always smiling. He was always the life of the party. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. It's Freddy that he went the way he did, always helping someone else," Fidler said.
It wasn't lost on anyone there that Fislar's two small children would never get the chance to know him the way they did. However, they're willing to fill in the gaps.
"Their father will always be proud of them and that they will know he is with them in the times that they need him," Fidler said.
Fislar took his last ride through town escorted by those he served and loved him the most — his community.
"We really have lost an incredible person who continues to make a difference and will continue to make a difference even after death," Fidler said.