BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — Cayce Police Officer Drew Barr, who was killed in the line of duty Sunday, was given a final solemn tribute Thursday afternoon.
The visitation, funeral, and graveside service were held in Barr's hometown of Batesburg-Leesville on Thursday afternoon.
The visitation and funeral took place at Batesburg-Leesville High School. A graveside service happened an nearby Mt. Ebal Baptist Church.
During a funeral service that lasted over an hour, Barr's life and service was remembered. Among those speaking were Cayce Police Chief Chris Cowan and State Sen. Nikki Setzler.
Barr was killed early Sunday morning while responding to a domestic disturbance at a home on Rossmore Drive, which is about a half-mile from the 12th Street Extension in Cayce. Police say the person who killed Barr was 36-year-old Austin Henderson, who lived at the home. "He murdered our officer and there are no if, ands, or buts about that," Cowan said.
Barr, who was just 27-years-old, joined the Cayce Police Department back in 2016, when it was still the Cayce Department of Public Safety, a joint agency of fire and police services.
Cayce's Facebook page states Barr became a traffic safety officer in 2019. In 2020 he joined the K-9 unit, according to Cowan. He worked with one of the department's canine officers, Molly.
Barr also worked as a volunteer firefighter with the Monetta Volunteer Fire Department, where he was a captain, according to that agency.
He also was an EMT with Lexington County EMS from 2013 to 2016.
Since his death there has been an outpouring of community support, from flowers and messages left on his patrol car to paying respects when his body was escorted from the hospital.
Cayce Police have given a list of ways the public can donate and support in his honor. Whether it's to sending a card, making a monetary donation, or supporting K9 Officers of the Midlands, click here for everything you need to know.