'People will never forget': Iowans mourn Coralville police Sgt. John Williams, who died in the line of duty
Susan Sanchez and her daughter were among 30 people gathered at the corner of First Avenue and Fifth Street on Monday, awaiting the funeral procession of Coralville Police Sgt. John Williams.
Sanchez watched as hundreds of law enforcement vehicles from all over Iowa proceeded down First Avenue past the Iowa River Power Restaurant, following the white hearse carrying Williams, who died from an acute medical emergency in the aftermath of a call last weekend.
"I didn't know him personally, but when somebody that the community respects passes away from something so tragic, I kind of wanted to show my daughter what it is to be a member of the community," she said.
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Williams' death shook the suburban community of 21,000 people over the Fourth of July weekend, as did the death of 3-year-old Damari Sanders from a gunshot wound. It was the shooting involving Damari that Williams had responded to July 3.
Monday's funeral procession started at Grace Community Church in North Liberty and traveled about 10 miles south down Dubuque Street, North Liberty Road and First Avenue before turning east toward Gay and Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City.
More: Coralville police officer dies from medical emergency while on duty
Firetrucks draped large American flags high over the street in at least three spots along the route: at Liberty High School, near the Iowa Firefighters Memorial and on the Woolf Avenue bridge over Highway 6.
Among the patrol vehicles in the line were first responders from Iowa City, North Liberty and Coralville, but also law enforcement from as far away as Mount Vernon, Davenport, Cedar Falls and Polk County. One large truck with a plow in the front was painted to read: "Sgt. John K. Williams End of Watch 7-3-2022."
Community members remember Sgt. John Williams
Rex Brandstatter of Coralville was with a group of military veterans who parked outside the Iowa River Power Restaurant. He said he was friends with Williams during the officer's 28-year career and often saw him on duty at the Xtream Arena for Iowa Heartlanders hockey games.
"Almost every time I saw him there, and I'd say, 'You probably drew the long straw. Otherwise you'd be out directing traffic in 10-below temperatures,'" Brandstatter said, adding Williams would respond by saying being inside was good duty.
"He was just a good friend and I'll tell you this — he did his job," he said.
Brandstatter said it was tragic to see Williams die at age 59, nearing retirement from the Coralville Police Department.
"The police department itself was rocked because (Williams) was a 28-year veteran, shift commander, night commander, and the guy who everyone went to with their troubles because they didn't want to go to the chief for it," Brandstatter said.
Mary McCann of Coralville said she didn't know Williams personally but comes from a family of law enforcement and military veterans who go so far back that she "doesn't remember a generation that did not serve."
"I feel like everything in my life is to take (services) from the police forces, and I receive over and over again from them. Coming to this procession just feels like something that is easy to do to give back," she said.
McCann said she attends the Coralville Citizen's Policing Advisory Board and has been impressed with her town's police department. She said she hopes the community rallies around the department in the wake of Williams' death.
"There's a dual mourning of a child dying on the same day, and it's all kind of put a pin mark in July 4th, and it's something people will never forget. I've been grateful to see communities of all races and religions come together," McCann said.
Brandstatter said he thinks that Williams' death may prompt Coralville to build a police memorial in the officer's name, something that could go near the recently completed Coralville Veterans Memorial and Iowa Firefighters Memorial.
Sanchez said she grew up in a small town, where coming together after a tragedy is ingrained. She said she was glad to see a larger town, like Coralville, do the same.
"It's our responsibility, big or small town, to show support to people like (Williams) just because they do so much," she said.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Damari Sanders' family and has raised almost $6,000 as of Monday afternoon.
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George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reporter covering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307, [email protected] and on Twitter @ShillcockGeorge
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowans mourn Coralville police Sgt. John Williams, a 28-year veteran