Thousands attend funeral of MSP trooper killed in accident

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Thousands gathered to pay their final respects to a Michigan State trooper killed while patrolling I-75.

Trooper Chad Wolf was hit by a car hauling an empty trailer Friday, his body dragged for miles before the driver finally stopped.

The driver was unaware he had hit Wolf, a married father of four, and has been cooperating with police. It is unclear if he will face charges.

On Tuesday his death brought roughly 3,500 people to honor his life and his uniform at Fenton High School.

IN PHOTOS: Click here for a photo gallery.

Attending the funeral were friends, family Gov. Rick Snyder and members of other law enforcement agencies from across the country and Canada. All of them paid their final respects to Wolf.

"We are here today, yes to mourn our loss, but to rejoice in heaven's gain," said one funeral mourner.

"I've been a cop for 38 years," said officer Jim Shrank of St. Charles, Missouri police. "This is one of the largest law enforcement funerals I have ever been to

"He enjoyed what he was doing," said Master Trooper Darryl Young, Indiana State Police motor unit. "And that's about us being on earth to enjoy while we're living."

Wolf, 38, was known as patient, kind and genuine and a man of God.

Words from his children were read. Along with those from his mother, Karen.

"I'll love you forever, I will love you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be," said brother Kent Wolf, reading his mother's words.

Known in his motor unit lovingly as "The Wolf Man," he was also known as a gifted singer, always smiling. He was called a true warrior of public safety.

"Today I have never been more proud to call that man my brother," said Kent Wolf.

Chad Wolf's wife Erin, and their entire family, thanked everyone for their care and compassion also sending thoughts and prayers to the family of the driver.

A procession 10 miles long led Wolf to his final resting place.

Many on Tuesday like Cmdr. Mario Gonzalez said, "I am not going to focus on how he died, but how he lived."

If you would like to make a donation to the Wolf family, you can do so via their GoFundMe account here. Contributions can also be made to the Chad H. Wolf Memorial Fund, C/O Sharp Funeral Home, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., P.O. Box 1161, Fenton, MI 48430.