A mournful procession of bagpipes filled a Corona sports bar Friday night in memory of Bryce Hanes, a San Bernardino police officer who was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver.
"Tonight we celebrate Bryce. Here's to Bryce!" his brother, a retired detective, toasted with Dr. Pepper, Hanes’ favorite drink.
"It's exciting. It's humbling. It's overwhelming. It's great to see so many people come out here and support. It's just too bad it has to be under this kind of circumstance," Scott Hanes said.
Organizers said pulling the fundraiser together was no trouble at all.
"They're not blood relatives but because of the working environment, how close we become, everyone seems to step up," said Kenneth Jamieson, president of the Inland Empire chapter of the Emerald Society.
The money raised will benefit Hanes' wife and three children.
His death has left his extended family heartbroken too.
"He was a humanitarian. He worked for the people. He was the community," said Lt. Adam Affrunti.
Others said the turnout spoke to Bryce Hanes’ good nature.
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"It just goes to show what kind of person Bryce was, to have this kind of turnout. Means a lot to us, SBPD and I'm sure it means a lot to his family," said Sgt. Steve Turner.
