The Oak Ridge Police Department and its community are currently facing a somber period as they mourn the loss of Sergeant Barry Bunch, who succumbed to cancer on Monday. As reported by WVLT, Bunch was remembered for his kindness, and commitment, and for continuously putting others before himself during a career that spanned three decades.
Bunch's journey with the Oak Ridge Police Department began in 1994 and saw his last promotion to the rank of sergeant in 2019, says WBIR. Over the years, he had served in numerous capacities, including as a K-9 officer, a SWAT team member, and a training instructor. Most recently, Bunch supervised the school resource officers who are stationed at the city's schools.
A memorial has been established outside the Oak Ridge Police Department's headquarters at 200 S. Tulane Avenue. Flowers and messages have been left at the site, which features a police car as part of the tribute. "We will take it from here, Sergeant Bunch. Thank you for your service," said the department in a post memorializing their fallen colleague, as per WVLT.
According to The Oak Ridger, the funeral services are set for Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church at 163 North Jefferson Circle. Friends can pay their respects starting at 10 a.m., with the memorial service beginning at noon followed by burial at 2 p.m. at Leach Cemetery behind Clear Branch Baptist Church.
