KCTV 5Slain sergeant's family, friends colleague mourn

Slain sergeant's family, friends colleague mourn

More than 2,000 people attended Thursday's funeral for slain Atchison Sgt. David Enzbrenner.

Flags lined the entrance to the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium at Benedictine College. Uninformed officers, deputies and troopers filled the area.

Enzbrenner's widow, Kerri, and three daughters, Avery, Abbi and Celia, clad in dark clothes filed behind his flag-draped casket.

The 46-year-old sergeant was shot Friday afternoon while helping code enforcement officers talk to a property owner about a scrap metal problem. A neighbor with mental issues came up from behind Enzbrenner and shot him. The man then killed himself.

"None of us can offer a worthy answer as to why he died," the Rev. Cynthia Meyer said. "But we are so glad he lived and lived and laughed for 46 years."

The gym had 2,600 seats and it took 30 minutes to get the near capacity crowd into their seats. In the hush, you could just hear footsteps and muffled sobs.

"We cannot escape the reality that very bad things happen to very fine people despite knowing our God is faithful," Meyer said. "We must remember our world is imperfect and people are flawed."

She directly addressed Enzbrenner's widow and daughters.

"You are not victims, rather strong women of sorrow and love," the pastor said.

A family friend, Jim Bolt, said Enzbrenner's memory will long linger.

"We don't need to tell anyone what a great guy he was," he said. "Everyone knows that just to us you will always be Super Dave."

He said the officer's family appreciates the support.

"We especially want to thank  the many officers for your solidarity and your kindness to our family," Bolt said. "It will never be forgotten."

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Thursday.

Brownback offered heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues.

"He paid the ultimate sacrifice for his community," Brownback said. "Sgt. Enzbrenner will remain a hero in the hearts of his community and his wife.

So that all Atchison Police Department officers could attend the service, officers from nearby cities and counties covered their duties. The sergeant was buried at Sunset Memory Gardens.

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