People continue to pay tribute to Columbus Police SWAT Officer Steven Smith, 54, who died, Tuesday afternoon, following a standoff in Clintonville, last weekend.
A procession carried Smith’s body to a downtown funeral home. Kathy Walker, of Columbus, watched as it passed by.
“It’s heart wrenching.”
Walker, who said she was filled with a deep sadness, stopped by the Columbus Police Memorial near COSI on her lunch hour.
“He could have retired and chose not to. That tears me up," Walker said. "You know, he’d still be here today if he had retired."
Walker said she thinks Smith "just wanted to serve the city. He just wanted to serve and he felt it was his duty.”
Junive O’Neill and Alesia Austin, who work downtown, also paid their respects.
“We wanted to stop by the memorial," O'Neill said. "It’s just sad.”
“He put his life on the line to protect us," Austin added.
Smith was a 27-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department. Funeral arrangements are pending.
The man charged with shooting Smith, Lincoln Rutledge, is being held without bail.