Friends, Family Honor Off-Duty Deputy Killed On Highway 285
DENVER (AP/CBS4) - Hundreds of people gathered in Arvada on Monday to mourn an off-duty Jefferson County sheriff's sergeant killed while helping a family involved in a crash.
A funeral service for Sgt. Sean Renfro was held at Faith Bible Chapel after a procession from the sheriff office's headquarters in Golden.
The 15-year department veteran leaves behind a wife and four children, who remember their father as nurturing and as a jokester.
Egor Renfro, one of Renfro's sons, recalled, "When my mom and dad adopted me and my brother in March of 2005, I knew that this was the best family that anyone could possibly have."
Renfro stopped to help a man, woman and a 1-year-old involved in a crash on snowy U.S. 285 near Conifer last weekend by putting them into his truck. He was then struck and killed while directing traffic after another car lost control and crossed the highway, striking Renfro and another man.
"Sean was the same man in any context that you saw him, whether he was on duty or off duty, whether at home or at the football field... he was always Sean," said Jim Myers, Renfro's pastor, at his service.
Sam Yesuratnam was with Renfro when he stopped to help, and remembers their last moments as full of laughter. "That was the last thing I heard from him, was him laughing," said Yesuratnam at the service. He also added: "Many do not know that Sean was a very talented and prolific writer."
Myers read Sean's own words during the service, a message he calls a gift left behind: "Even in difficult times we can find meaning, and value and positive outcomes."
Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink spoke about his comrade, saying, "I don't care if Sean was wearing a green shirt or no shirt, he would have stopped anyway because that's just who he is." Mink said that Renfro succeeded in living as an example to others, adding, "Sgt. Sean Renfro, mission accomplished."
Friends have set up a GoFundMe account for Renfro's family.
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