CHARLOTTE — The friends and family of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officer Dean Lauber held a funeral for him after he died last week at the age of 52.
CMPD said Lauber was taken to the hospital on Dec. 19 for a medical emergency, where he died the following night.
His wife Jessica, who is a Charlotte firefighter, their children and fellow CMPD officers were in the room with him when he passed.
Lauber’s family told Channel 9 he spent nearly 15 years serving as a firefighter, EMT and dispatcher near Buffalo, New York.
His first-responder career took him to Charlotte where he served as a CMPD officer and trainer for 21 years.
“I think he loved his job so much because he could help people in a way and he could always keep our city safe,” said Zachary Lauber, Dean Lauber’s son.
(WATCH PREVIOUS: Officer dies after medical emergency Monday, CMPD confirms)
Family members are holding onto decades of memories.
“He would always support us in doing things,” Zachary Lauber said. “Like, if we wanted to do extracurriculars for school or sports-wise. He was always there to help.”
>> Click here for Officer Dean Lauber’s obituary.
Officer Lauber’s son: ‘Life is so unfair’
On Thursday, Dean Lauber’s family, friends and colleagues gathered at First Baptist Church of Charlotte to honor him with a funeral service. As many mourn his passing, the day was about reflecting on who he was.
“Even before we lost Dean, I was told by so many on how impactful he was to all of us at CMPD and how much he meant to so many of us,” said CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.
Jennings spoke first, sharing special moments of Officer Lauber’s service to the community for the last 21 years.
“A lady was stranded in her vehicle in the roadway and Dean took the time, helped her push her car out of the road,” Jennings recalled. “Just the pleasure of that encounter this female had, and the thankfulness she had for Dean is something we strive to do as police officers.”
Others, like his son, reflected on who Dean Lauber was outside of his uniform.
On December 19, 2022 Independence Division Officer Dean Lauber suffered a medical emergency at home and was taken to the hospital. Last night, Officer Lauber passed away surrounded by his wife, Jessica (a @charlottefire firefighter), his children and members of his CMPD Family. pic.twitter.com/goBNDOSGtz
— CMPD News (@CMPD) December 21, 2022
“My dad helped make me the person I am today,” Zachary Lauber said. “Right now, I feel as though life is so unfair. As of 24 hours leading up to his passing I was filled with anger, sadness, doubt, pain confusion, and heartbreak.”
Even those who lived right next door to him are filled with gratitude for the man he was.
“He was a family friend and neighbor, and I grew up with him. He was like a father figure to me,” said neighbor McKenzie Knight. “He was just there for everyone, and he loved just helping out his community and he loved being a police officer, loved sharing that with his two boys.”
It’s something his boys will now hold on to forever.
“I’ll remember my dad by all the first responders I see on the road and in this room,” Zachary Lauber said.
(WATCH BELOW: Panthers player Brian Burns brings the holidays to family center in west Charlotte)
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