EXETER TWP., Pa. – In Exeter Township, the community rallied together to pay respect to fallen Central Berks Regional Police Officer Kristen Yeager.
“It’s hard to put all of this into words,” said Donna O’Brien.
Officer Yeager died after her car crashed while responding to a call on May 29th.
Hundreds of people, like O’Brien, honored her legacy at an end-of-watch ceremony at Exeter Township Senior High School.
“I actually graduated with Kristen’s dad, and I’ve known Kristen since she was a little girl,” said O’Brien.
She sat alongside Sharon Lombardo.
“A lot of sadness, a lot of respect. I knew Kristen’s dad. He graduated a year ahead of me, and his whole family, I’m very sad for all of them,” said Lombardo.
“She’s just a beautiful light in her families. Our neighbors went to school with her, everybody did. It seems like somebody, we all had a touch,” said Helene Horn.
Horn said she felt she had to be here to honor Officer Yeager’s legacy no matter what.
“I had to be here for her family and friends and for police and fire department and all the EMTs that were out here,” said Horn.
“We depend on the police. Something happens at night, who do we call?” said Celeste Twardowski.
Twardowksi, who did not even know Officer Yeager stood for the whole ceremony while holding the American flag.
“She was a young woman. I mean, I have daughters her age, so it just resonated with me, and I know it’s just something, it was just so important to pay respects,” said Twardowski.
Honoring an officer who will never be forgotten.
“I think the community came together beautifully,” said Twardowski.
Officer Yeager leaves behind three children and her husband.