tom decker

As many as 3,000 people are expected to attend the funeral for Cold Spring police officer Tom Decker. Officials say between 1,500 and 2,000 officers from across the country could be there.

The residents of Cold Spring began the healing process tonight (Monday) with a candlelight vigil. Community members gathered outside of Wenner's Funeral Home to sing, pray, and remember officer Tom Decker.

Residents in Central Minnesota have had their small towns and sleepy neighborhoods rocked by a string of violent crimes usually thought of as "big city" problems, or something that only happens "someplace else."

What 8-year-old Kelly Decker remembers about her dad - more than playing Nintendo Wii together, more than the treehouse he was building for Kelly and his other three children - was how he loved to look out for people.

A candlelight vigil is planned for tonight (Monday) in Cold Spring for officer Tom Decker. The event will be held from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. outside of Wenner's Funeral Home. Organizers ask attendees to bring a candle or flashlight.

The four children of a slain Cold Spring police officer are struggling to imagine Christmas without their father. Tom Decker was killed late Thursday while checking on a report of a suicidal man. His funeral is Wednesday.

The family of officer Tom Decker, along with the Law Enforcement Memorial Association, have finalized the visitation and and funeral arrangements for the fallen officer.

Minnesota authorities are still looking for the gun used to kill a Cold Spring police officer this week. The Stearns County sheriff's office put out a request Saturday asking members of the public to keep on the lookout for a discarded weapon.

Police agencies in Minnesota are according the highest respect to a Cold Spring officer killed in the line of duty.

Memorial funds have been established at multiple Cold Spring banks in support of the family of slain Cold Spring police officer Tom Decker.