Friends, family, strangers gather to remember slain detective

POLK COUNTY, Ga. - Hundreds turned out to pay their respects to a Polk County detective killed in the line of duty.

The viewing for Kristen Herne was held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church in Rockmart.

Many of those who came to comfort the family were from the public safety community. All of the mourners are grateful for the sacrifices our law enforcement community makes.

"We just need to pray for our police officers. All of those who are putting their lives on the line because at any moment something like this can happen," family friend Jonathan Rutledge said.

"We hear about it all the time on the news where an officer in the line of duty is killed, but it’s different when it hits home. This is hometown and she was so young," Nurse Kioto Crawford explained.

Crawford was slated to meet Detective Herne for the first time through a mutual friend this Friday.

Detective Hearne was only 29 years old and had been on the Polk Counter Police Department 5 years. She leaves behind a devoted husband, also in law enforcement, and a precious 3-year-old son.

Family, friends, and even total strangers are still wondering why, challenged America to support each other, and begin to heal.

"The way we are these days, so divided, it is a situation where we really need to pull together and support law enforcement officers," said mourners Lee Bright.

Detective Herne's funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Victory Baptist, the largest church in Polk County. Church officials said it will likely be standing room only.