GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Sumner County community is remembering a beloved school resource officer, Jerry Soares.

He died suddenly on Monday when he suffered a medical emergency.

In the halls of Gallatin High School, Soares was a familiar face.

"He looked like a tough guy, but behind that, you see who Jerry was, and that is someone that wanted to make things better," Sumner County Juvenile Court Judge David Howard said.

Now a memorial rests on his patrol car outside the school.

Soares' resume includes 41 years in law enforcement, and he was also a loving husband and father.

"Our community and Gallatin High School is going to have a void, and it's going to be hard," Howard said. "But Jerry wouldn't want it to be."

Many friends and coworkers expressed their heartache on social media, including the Sumner County Sheriff's Office and the Metro Nashville Police Department.

A visitation for Soares is set for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. at Gallatin High School, followed by a celebration of life at noon.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/sumner-county-remembers-beloved-school-resource-officer-jerry-soares/