LIVE: Procession for Greenville Officer Cooper Dawson

The community continues to honor the Greenville police officer who died in the line of duty earlier this week.

There will be a police procession at 10 a.m. on Wednesday as Officer Cooper Dawson’s body is moved from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office to a funeral home in Rockwall.

Officer Dawson was shot late Monday night while chasing a suspect on foot after a traffic stop.

Police said 25-year-old Christian Sparger was wanted for several felony warrants. He allegedly ambushed Officer Dawson in a wooded area behind homes, shooting him multiple times.

Despite being fatally wounded, Officer Dawson returned fire and critically injured the suspect.

Dawson later died at the hospital.

His death has been difficult for Greenville because he is the first police officer killed in the line of duty there in over 100 years.

He’s being remembered as a husband, father of three young kids, military veteran, and a hero.

"We lost a good man," said Greenville Police Chief Chris Smith. "He was an excellent officer. He came in under my command, and this one hits really hard."

Officer Dawson’s wife works for Royse City ISD. Members of both the law enforcement and education communities wrapped their arms around her on Tuesday night during a vigil.

Dawson’s family said they’ve been overwhelmed by the support from residents in Greenville and Royse City.

"The community outreach has been awesome. Our community loves us. I can’t say enough good things about this community . The community of Greenville, the surrounding communities, Garland, Rockwall, all the surrounding agencies that have helped us. I can’t say enough," said Greenville Lt. Brandon West.

Officer Dawson's funeral is expected to be sometime early next week.

[denisecaccese]

RIP MY BROTHER, PRAYER'S TO YOUR FAMILY. DID NOT KNOW YOU, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

[Question_MarcStreetwise]

Thank you, Sir, for your heroic actions and dedication to the city in which you loved. My prayers of comfort are going out to the family and ti his fellow coworkers of this fine young man. My son is the same age. Absolutely breaks my heart. You will never be forgotten. ❤

[rbrennan]

This is incredibly sad, senseless and a huge loss for the people of Greenville, Texas.

[MrBobNeff]

So sorry for your loss of a Brave Patrol Man.

[samanthamorgan]

RIP Sir ❤ Thank you for your service and sacrifice to your community. My sincere condolences and prayers to his family and friends and officers and all who knew him! Rest in Heaven. 😢🙏🕊

[ImLegit]

As a man… seeing his family hurting… and not being able to do nothing is just truly heartbreaking. Rest in Peace officer Dawson.

[Carin-wr]

Prayers for everyone family and friends and community

[dylancooke]

As a good friend of this hero. Ain’t not a single one of yall on here talking that crazy stuff man enough say that junk away from key board. Yall are some true clowns. Dawson was amazing person, father, husband. Yall are weak as hell. I wish yall would come out to the public & say some of the stuff yall are saying…

[PWGLOCKGOAT]

Praying for the family and everyone involved ❤!

[cldr]

God bless and sorry for your loss. 🙏🙏 prayers Thank you Sir for your service and dedication to our country and community.

[robertramirez]

Our condolences go's to family of officer Cooper RIP.

[donniesavage]

I wish the people who do not like the police officers why don't you get out of this country

[AnitaWilkins-uw]

My condolences go out to the family and the police officers around the world we need more police to keep us safe at all times he is a beautiful person love you and God bless 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️😢😊😊

[JesusIsTheOnlyHopeForUs]

Cooper was a really nice guy, praying for the family

[janeholt]

Condolences to his family and friends and the entire police dept. Bless you, officer. RIP

[shanefrance]

Outstanding officer deepest condolences from great Britain 😭😩👮🙏🙏🙏

[Auroramyst]

I'm thankful I live in a state where most people respect the Police. Officer Cooper Dawson and his family deserve respect and honor for the selfless service they have given to us. I am heartbroken by another senseless death of one of our Police Officers. Prayers for the family, coworkers and other friends. 🙏💙

[JoeyDemetro-deou]

All these comments reguradless of how you feel about poloce have some respect for his kids

[RhondaSmall-uxsw]

So very sad a man that was just doing his job taking way too soon and way too sudden prayers for the officers and family

[lizmallard]

Once again YT are select in their posting.