Slain Officer Laid To Rest

Thousands turn out to honor fallen hero

PETERSBORO, WILKONSHIRE--Thousands of people turned out Tuesday to honor slain police officer Jeffrey Ziegle, 35, who was gunned down while responding to a domestic violence call last week.

Ziegle, who worked for the Saragen Police Department, was responding to a domestic violence call in the neighboring jurisdiction of Petersboro on Tuesday night, December 29th, when he was gunned down by a man at the residence. Ziegle retained consciousness for a few minutes after being shot seven times, and stayed on the radio with dispatchers as the suspect fled the scene. Ziegle later died at the scene before emergency crews could transport him to a hospital.

The suspect was arrested the next morning by police across the border in POG. Authorities arrested Wayne Alan Austin, 43, in the town of Sutterton, about two hours away from the shooting scene. Austin was found lying unconscious and intoxicated on a residential street. He has since been transported back to Wilkonshire, where he is facing 1st degree murder of an officer of the law and felony eluding charges. Austin's criminal record is lengthy, with numerous prior convictions for burglary, assault, driving while intoxicated, and domestic violence.

The murder of Officer Ziegle has shocked this small southeast Wilkonshire community, which rarely sees violent crime. Hours after Ziegle's death, the steps of  the Saragen Police Department headquarters were covered with flowers and messages. Fundraisers for the fallen officer's widow and two children, ages five and three, have earned thousands of dollars.

The outpouring of support continued Tuesday, as more than 4,000 people packed Laughdale Christian Church to attend a public memorial service to honor the fallen officer. Almost 3,000 attendees were seated in the church's main sanctuary, but over 1,000 watched the service via closed-circuit television at a local high school.

Law enforcement officers from around the country, as well as dignitaries such Governor Caroline Jepsey and Lt. Governor Mindy Orneisson were in attendance to pay their respects.

Calling him a "brave hero," Jepsey said Ziegle's death was a reminder of the "ugliness humanity can sometimes display," and assured his family his death would not be in vain.

Saragen Police Chief Randy Altmeier also spoke, telling memorable stories about Officer Ziegle, some comical, some profound.

"I'll never forget Jeff telling me one day that his first commitment was to God, then his family, and then the community he served," Altmeier said. "And he truly was committed to his community, even unto the last moments."

After the three hour long memorial service, Ziegle's body was transported by car more than 140 miles to his hometown of Pittington, Province of Grassadella. The hearse carrying the fallen officer was escorted by a small caravan of police vehicles. The south-bound lanes of the Greenland Highway were shut down briefly to allow the motorcade to pass through.

The Mosier County Sheriff's Department is still investigating Ziegle's death and specifically, why Ziegle responded to the call, which was several miles outside his area of jurisdiction. Sheriff Ron Wayneman said the investigation could take weeks.