KCTV 5World Trade Center flag flying for Atchison sergeant's funeral

The U.S. honor flag will be flown Thursday at the funeral service for slain Atchison Police Sgt. David Enzbrenner.

"The American Flag" arrived on an American Airlines flight into Kansas City International on Wednesday afternoon. Enzbrenner was fatally shot by a man with mental health issues while working with code enforcement officers last Friday. The man then committed suicide.

Atchison will mourn the dedicated officer Thursday.

"It's very moving to carry a flag that is a symbol to so many people," said Capt. Steve Jorgensen, the American Airlines pilot.

The flag, which has been designated a national treasure, originally flew over the Texas capital in Austin. Chris Heisler was gifted the flag after Sept. 11, 2001, and set out for New York City. He got the flag flown over the rubble of the World Trade Center towers during the recovery efforts.

To honor emergency response and military members, the flag has been flown at more than 1,000 funerals and other events and traveled more than five million miles, including to outer space. The flag is under constant police protection and even travels in a special ballistic case and has special microchips in it.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson said the honor flag will bring a measure of comfort.

"Our department is having an overwhelming time of grief," he said. "And this is just another way that's helping us through it."

Those who carry the flag must wear special gloves. The gloves worn Thursday will be presented to Enzbrenner's widow.

Major Chris Allen said he was honored to fly on the flight Wednesday.

"The flag represents who we are as Americans, who we are as soldiers," he said. "It gives us all price in what we do."

Joplin resident Beverly Oaks traveled to Ground Zero on Wednesday morning before boarding the flight back to Kansas City that also carried the special flag.

"It was very inspiring to be on that flight," Oaks said.

After Enzbreener's funeral, the flag will travel to Miami for another officer's funeral there.

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