State Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr. was welcomed home to his final resting place on Monday. As he arrived at the Corry airport, his fellow troopers and law enforcement from around the region came to salute and pay their respects for Rougeau's service to the community.

"Support from the communities in the Corry area — from the Erie area in general, has been tremendous. Everybody's reaching out, trying to do whatever they can. We appreciate everybody who is trying to honor and coming here to honor Trooper Rougeau" Captain Kirk Reese of the PA State Police, Troop E said. 

Capt. Kirk said being able to honor Rougeau's ultimate sacrifice was a privilege.

"Every trooper, every member of our department and every law enforcement agency is affected by what happened there. Law enforcement is a dangerous profession. We all accept that, but it hits us hard when incidents like this happen to one of our own," Kirk said.

The police weren't alone. As Rougeau was brought to his hometown, community members lined the streets to honor his commitment to serve and protect. Former Corry Chief of Police, Richard Shopene, knew Rougeau when Rougeau was a kid. Shoppe said Rougeau always wanted to go into the police force, and remembers his character, and kind disposition. Rougeau even did an internship with the Corry department.

"During the internship, he showed the qualities that would make him a good police officer. He was caring, he was compassionate, he wanted to help people, and he was a hard worker. All of which are needed to be a good law enforcement officer, and he showed all of those qualities growing up and all through college," Shopene said. 

Shopene said Rougeau death is a terrible loss to the community, and for everyone who knew him.

"Just a devastating loss, and as I thought back on knowing Trooper Rougeau. You know, how much joy, happiness and help that he brought people . . . To lose one of your own, especially in the manner that this happened. You know, it is a tragedy for the state police. It's a tragedy for law enforcement and it's a tragedy for the Corry community," Shopene said.