NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — More than 30 Newport News police officers will attend the funeral services for fallen Newport News Police Officer Katie Thyne this weekend in New England.
Services will begin Friday afternoon with a celebration of life at the Immaculate Conception Church at 144 East Merrimack Street in Lowell, Massachusetts, from 3 to 8 p.m. Thyne, who grew up in New Hampshire, was born in Lowell.
On Saturday, Thyne will be laid to rest with full military and police honors in Lowell Cemetery, following a funeral mass at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church.
Newport News Police said when their officers arrived at their hotel in New Hampshire Thursday, they were taken to a meeting room filled with food from the community and cards from local students thanking them for their service.
Last night, the community gathered at her high school in Hudson, New Hampshire to say goodbye. Her partner, Officer Nick Meier, was at the vigil. He said the support from Newport News and local jurisdictions, all the way up to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, “has been incredible.”
“It doesn’t matter what uniform we wear, what state we are from, what badge we wear. We are a law enforcement family,” said an emotional Hudson Police Chief William Avery.
Thyne leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter and friends who will never forget her.
“I know on January 23 your watch ended. However, I know you and I know that on that day it just means that your watch started in heaven,” said Alisha Soto.
Bryan Lane, Thyne’s former principal said: “She had a smile. She had a spirit. She had a kindness. She did good for other people every minute of the day. We are proud of her, we still are.”
In lieu in flowers, Thyne’s family asks for donations to be made in support of her daughter Raegan through the Officer Thyne Memorial Fund. A verified GoFundMe has also been started in support of Thyne’s family.
The Newport News Police Department is also hosting its own celebration of life for Thyne on Monday, Feb. 3 at Liberty Baptist Church on Big Bethel Road in Hampton.
Thyne, a Navy veteran who joined the force in 2018, died in the line of duty last week after a traffic stop near Monitor-Merrimac Overlook Park. Police said the driver tried to flee, dragging Thyne about a block before she was pinned between the car and a tree. She died at the hospital later that night.
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ABOVE: Procession held for fallen Newport News, VA police officer in the NH town where she went to high school.
ABOVE: Officer Katie Thyne’s hometown honors her Thursday.
ABOVE: High school honors former student, fallen Officer Katie Thyne Thursday night.