WASHINGTON, Pa. -- About 1,000 people -- many of them fellow police officers -- paid their respects at the funeral for 27-year-old South Strabane Officer Nathan Burnfield on Monday morning.

Police and fire vehicles lined the streets of Washington for a funeral procession that went from Immaculate Conception Church on West Chestnut Street to The Washington Cemetery on Park Avenue.

The off-duty officer was killed Tuesday clearing debris from Interstate 70 when he was hit by a dump truck. That truck driver also died.

"It's hard for a parent, any parent, to go through something like this. This is not a natural death you prepared for. This kind of death, you're not prepared for," Burnfield's mother, Debra, said.

Burnfield also served as a volunteer firefighter in Canton Township. Those who knew him said he died trying to save someone else from getting hurt.

"When he passed, he did something that wasn't called for. He went out there, out of his way to help somebody, and so be it what happened. But he did what he loved to do and that was to help people and serve the community," said Daniel Moses, a friend.

Her son's compassion for others is what Debra Burnfield said she will remember most about Nathan, often called Nate by his friends.

"He didn't have his uniform on, he didn't even have to get out of the car, but being trained as a police officer and as a fireman, that is your first response," Debra Burnfield said.

Debra Burnfield said her son died saving lives and while she will miss his smile and his jokes, she has been overwhelmed by what he achieved in such a short period of time.

“What inspires me about my son is that he accomplished so much and gave so much back to his community at such a young age, and he had so much more to give,” said Debra Burnfield.

"(Burnfield) had a hunger for training and did everything in his power to see to that the job was done correctly and it was an absolute honor working next to Nate Burnfield," said Detective John Bruner.

Burnfield's family said he was known for his smile and his passion for the University of Michigan football team. He and his father, a Penn State fan, were building a tradition of attending the Michigan-Penn State game.

University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez sent a letter of condolence to the Burnfield family.

"Sadly, we have our reservations made for next year, and I told my husband we're going, we're going, because Nathan would have wanted us to do that," Debra Burnfield said.

Burnfield's family wants the public to remember him as someone dedicated to the safety of others.

"He knew somebody else was going to get killed and God wanted him. That's the way it ended up being," Debra Burnfield said.

As Burnfield was laid to rest, a final fire calls signaled one last farewell to a young man who gave so much.

“I had nothing but pride when I said goodbye,” said Chief Donald Zofchak of the South Strabane Police Department. “He made me proud as chief, so I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Fellow officers, friends and family mourned Burnfield at his visitation Saturday. An official Fraternal Order of Police service was held Sunday.

“No matter where you came from, thank you. You touched our hearts also,” Debra Burnfield said.

Burnfield is the second Canton Township firefighter to die in the last two years.

Jeremy Labella, 27, died while battling a house fire in Feb. 2007.

Burnfield’s family plans to start a scholarship fund for students at Canon-McMillan High School in his honor.

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