On Thursday night, thousands of citizens lit candles and gathered in a church for a vigil to honor many fallen officers but one in particular, Charleston Hartfield. Hartfield’s sister, wife and two children sat in the first row and watched as he was described by coworkers and friends. Hartfield was an officer on duty during the massacre on the Las Vegas Strip last week. He was one of the 58 victims shot and killed by the gunman, Stephen Paddock.

Hartfield was 34 years old, a youth football coach and a first class Nevada Army National Guard sergeant. He was invested in his public life as well as family life, being a proud husband and a father of two children. Hartfield dedicated his life to protecting America and that’s exactly what he did as he pulled people away from the action and into safety.

Hartfield was so respected that military officials and officers traveled from across the country to attend his service. He served as a hero and leader for the police force.