"A final goodbye:" Trooper Trevor Casper, killed in the line of duty, laid to rest in hometown of Kiel
KIEL (WITI) -- 21-year-old Trevor Casper, the young Wisconsin State Patrol trooper killed in the line of duty during a shootout with a bank robbery suspect last week in Fond du Lac was laid to rest in Kiel on Monday, March 30th. This, after police say between 5,500 and 6,000 citizens and law enforcement officials filled Kiel on Sunday for Trooper Casper's funeral.
Trevor Casper
A procession of troopers escorted Casper's family through the streets of Kiel on Monday.
Trevor Casper was laid to rest at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery after family members and members of the Wisconsin State Patrol attended a private funeral service.
Trevor Casper graduated from Kiel High School in 2011, where he was a wrestler and played soccer. Casper graduated from Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wisconsin in May 2014. Last Tuesday -- the day Trooper Casper lost his life was actually his first solo day on the job as a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper. He graduated from the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy in December 2014.
The very group Casper was part of presented its colors during his funeral procession Monday.
"He helped raise the professionalism of our color guard," Lakeshore Technical College Criminal Justice instructor James Schuessler said.
Casper's life ended as he was following Steven Timothy Snyder -- accused of robbing a bank in Wausaukee, stealing a bank employee's vehicle and then shooting and killing 59-year-old Thomas Christ on Jermac Road in Wausaukee -- taking Christ's vehicle and heading for Fond du Lac. A shootout ensued, and Casper and Snyder were killed.
"There`s no way to tell how many lives he saved by finishing the job that he needed to take care of that day," Schuessler said.
Schuessler knew Casper well. He was the one who trained Casper to shoot.
"He was a great student who pushed others to be their very best. We have a motto at the college -- exceeding standards, and I think he definitely showed that he had trained hard and done well and served his community the best way he could," Schuessler said.
The community showed up Monday morning as Casper's body was escorted through the streets of Kiel by Wisconsin State Patrol squads to a private funeral.
"That`s why I'm here today to support not only Trevor, his family and all the law enforcement students and everyone who is serving at this time," Polly Jeanty of Kiel said.
"To pay respects, to honor a young man who gave his all. It will be hard, but it will be, I hate to say it, a final goodbye," Lisa Hintz said.
Even after the crowds dispersed and the funeral was over, signs remain in Kiel that say Trooper Casper will always be remembered.
Trooper Trevor Casper