Law enforcement officers and community members continued to pay their respects to slain Hayward police officer Sgt. Scott Lunger Wednesday, a day after he was fatally shot during a routine police stop.
Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, Hayward Police Capt. Mark Koller described Lunger as someone who was "always out there, eager to get involved. He was engaged in the community."
Koller said the 15-year veteran, who was promoted to sergeant in 2009, was "well liked" and "well respected" — in short, an "ideal" police officer. The pair were close Koller said, noting that Lunger was an accomplished member of the police department's gang and SWAT teams, and also helped train young police officers.
The funeral service for Sgt. Lunger is tentatively scheduled to be held at a church in Castro Valley next Thursday morning, police said. The service is scheduled to be held at the Neighborhood Church at 20600 John Drive in Castro Valley at 10 a.m. next Thursday, police said.
Heavy police presence in #hayward after reports of shots fired poss. involving police officer. 1 person transported. pic.twitter.com/9dBBh98b9c
— Bob Redell (@BobNBC) July 22, 2015A viewing is tentatively scheduled to be held sometime next Wednesday at the Chapel of the Chimes at 32992 Mission Blvd. in Hayward.
"Scott loved this job," Koller said. "He did it eagerly. It is a tragedy that this has happened, that someone has done this. … The department is devastated but we are pulling together and we will get through this."
For many, Lunger was remembered as "the man, the friend, and the warrior," Hayward Police Chief Diane Urban said. "We have really suffered a great loss today," Urban said. "The world is a little bit worse with him gone."
Lieutenant Eric Krimm deemed the shooting "devastating to the officers involved and to the community." “No officer comes to work wanting to be involved in something like that so [officer-involved shootings are] very difficult,” he noted. “They’re difficult for those involved, they’re difficult for the families, they’re difficult for the communities.”
News of Lunger's death rocked Bay Area's law enforcement agencies.
Captain Christopher Sherry, commander of the CHP in San Francisco, wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts and Prayers are with the Hayward PD. This is a very sad day for all law enforcement. #GodSpeed"
#DEVELOPING in #Hayward: reports of police officer shot after possible attempt to stop a car.@BobNBC with the latest https://t.co/StnvFYxPHM
— Stephanie Chuang (@StephChuang) July 22, 2015Other local and national police departments echoed the same sentiment.
Lunger was not only remembered as an officer, but also a coach. He was the assistant softball coach at Freedom High School in Oakley, where a memorial has been set up on the field.
At least 6 #CHP &other police officers on bikes (others not in pic)have arrived at @EdenMedCenter #CastroValley pic.twitter.com/6UJpHG3vJD
— Stephanie Chuang (@StephChuang) July 22, 2015Athletes remembered him as "a funny guy" who was relaxed, but "wanted to get stuff done."
Venessa Strong, a player on the team, found the news tough to digest."It's tough," Strong said. "I mean he wasn't just a coach, he was family."
Bay City News contributed to this report.
Hayward PD investigating an OIS. At this time we are not releasing the condition of the officer involved.
— HaywardPD (@HaywardPD) July 22, 2015