Community says goodbye to Bahr

By JIM LAWRENCE
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: June 19, 2008

FREDERICKSBURG — Law enforcement officers from more than 70 jurisdictions came out last week to pay one last tribute to Fredericksburg police officer Todd Allen Bahr, 40, slain in the line of duty June 8.

A full color guard was present. Both the sanctuary and overflow area of Spotswood Baptist Church were filled for the ceremonies.

Members of several motorcycle clubs comprised of present and former law enforcement and fire and rescue workers attended and rode in the motorcade.

Present were members of the Enforcers, Blue Knights, Strength and Honor MC, and Disciples of Justice, among others.

Bryant “Gunslinger” Halstead, president of the local Strength and Honor MC chapter, said he had learned of Bahr’s death electronically. Halstead worked for the Stafford County Sheriff’s Officer for 14 years and had purchased firearms for the county’s S.W.A.T. Team.

With him was Ron “Slice” Briles, a full-time Fort Belvoir firefighter and part-timer in Stafford. He also got word of Bahr’s death and had come to honor his fallen comrade.

The Rev. Ron Thayer, chaplain, spoke fondly of Bahr in his eulogy.

“The department is forced to retire Unit 337,"he stated, “long before he was supposed to.”

He stated that Bahr had formerly owned a business, Damage, Inc., and “loved it.” After Sept. 11, 2001, he felt a “burning desire to do his part.”

He attempted to enlist in the service to go to Iraq, but he was told he was too old. As he dealt with police officers in his line of business, anyway, he sold his business, attended the police academy, and became a full time officer.

Quoting President Woodrow Wilson, Fredericksburg Police Chief David Nye said, “There is no higher work than that of public service” and noted that Bahr made the ultimate sacrifice. He spoke of positive reports from citizens who had dealt with Bahr.

He called Bahr’s death a “wound that will never completely heal.”

A very emotional Fredericksburg Police Sgt. Bill Hallam choked back tears more than once.

“What if Todd had been somewhere else?… We would wipe out all the honors bestowed on him to have him here today,” he said.

Scott Brady, Bahr’s best friend, referred to his departed friend as “my hero.”

In reference to his white dress gloves, he said, “I don’t know how appropriate it is to use your glove for this [wiping his nose], but it’s better than using your sleeve.”

In his closing remarks of Bahr, Thayer stated, “He knew the risks all the time. … Remember those who have gone before you.”

And to the congregation, in referring to their roles as public servants, he said, “Be a doer. Don’t just do your job.”

Jim Lawrence is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at .