Police officer buried with his beloved K-9 partner after they were both killed in patrol car by 'drunk driver who veered off the interstate in his pick-up'

ILLINOIS -- A beloved police officer was buried along with his K-9 partner after he and his loyal dog were killed by a drunk driver.

Officer Casey J. Kohlmeier, 29, died alongside his K-9 Draco after his SUV was hit by a pick-up truck on October 30 in Pontiac, Illinois. 

The 29-year-old had been a member of the Pontiac police department for six years and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was buried with full military honors on November 2 with more than a thousand fellow officers, family and friends attending his memorial and funeral.

A tearful Police Chief James Woolford told opposingviews.com: 'This is a hole we can’t fill.'

Officer Kohlmeier is survived by his parents, two brothers, two sisters and girlfriend Leslie Alappattu, an assistant principal in Bloomington.

The 29-year-old had served in the U.S. Air Force from 2002 until 2006 at Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska where he received numerous medals and commendations for his service.

He joined the K-Unit of the Pontiac Police Department in January 2007 and received his training certificate as detective.

The distinguished officer was also a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County and the Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association. He attended the Saunemin Methodist Church.

Police Major Dan Davis said that the officer's unique personality allowed him to be approachable and caring while still doing his job.

He said: 'He had a quick wit, loved to make people laugh, and was extremely approachable. He was the type of person who, as soon as you met him, you felt like you had known him all your life.'
Jason Collins, 33, from Columbia, South Carolina, was charged with DUI and reckless homicide last week.

Collins allegedly slammed his pick-up truck into Officer Kohlmeier's SUV after drifting off the interstate and into the median, where the policeman was parked.

Prosecutors said Collins admitted to drinking at a bar in Bloomington before he crashed into the officer's vehicle.

Surveillance footage showed that he was in the bar for five hours and a blood test revealed an alcohol level above the legal limit.

Collins told police he fell asleep behind the wheel, according to CINewsnow.com. He is currently being held in the Livingston County Jail on $100,000 bond.

(Daily Mail - Nov 8, 2013)