Every pew in Central Baptist Church was full Thursday morning for the funeral of an Opelika police officer.
The casket of Cpl. John William Belk III was draped with an American flag. A sea of Opelika police uniforms filled one side of the church, and uniforms from agencies across the local area and beyond were scattered in the crowd.
Friends and co-workers took turns remembering him. Belk befriended Opelika Patrolman James Daniel when he joined the force.
“(Belk) hasn’t left me, and I don’t think he ever will,” Daniel said. “… As long as we keep him in our prayers and hearts, he never will.”
Sgt. Rob Cook worked with Belk in the K9 unit, and they became close friends, coaching their children together and serving as deacons at the church.
When tracking with the dogs and as a supportive friend, “I did not have to look over my shoulder because I knew he’d be there,” Cook said.
The funeral procession wound its way from the church to Garden Hill Cemetery. Officers saluted the casket as it was carried past, and the flag was folded and presented to Belk’s wife, Janis.
Belk died when his vehicle and an SUV collided head-on on Sandhill Road Sunday. Belk was off duty at the time.
The two occupants of the SUV ran from the scene and were later apprehended, police said at the time.
The driver, Jimmy Vickerstaff Jr., 31, of Auburn was charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. The other occupant was not charged.
The investigation is still ongoing, a spokeswoman for the Alabama State Troopers said Thursday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A trust account is being set up at Town-Country National Bank in Camden for Belk's two sons, J.W. and Austin.
Donations may be sent to:
Hal Huggins, trustee
3 Ponderosa Place
Camden, AL 36726
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement