Family and friends attend Trooper Smith's visitation

so you've still got a few more hours to attend the visitation it's taking place at the Emmanuel Church in Greenwood our Karen Campbell joins us live tonight at five she's been talking today with fellow Troopers and Military members who worked with Trooper Smith Karen yeah good evening Scott and Felicia those who worked with Trooper Aaron Smith really tell me that he was so loved you know he also served in the National Guard not only of course with Indiana State Police but that's evident by the n

umber of cars in this parking lot here at the Emmanuel Church in Greenwood you know before going inside they stopped by his vehicle they laid flowers cards and more just taking a moment to uh give him a moment of pause now we also learned today just how much he was loved not only again from his fellow Law Enforcement Officers but those he served with in the National Guard and that is where he also earned Awards including Army Achievement Award and National Defense service medal honoring Indiana

State Police Trooper Aaron Smith on Thursday family friends fellow officers and people in the community came to Emmanuel Church in Greenwood to pay their respects to a man that meant so much to so many people including Trooper Josh Thayer both a shift partner and classmate we're going to miss him being around his goofiness his his outgoing nature he was never afraid to ask a question and he was always willing to even be the brunt of some of the jokes Trooper Smith also served with the Indiana Na

tional Guard since 2011. he became a sergeant Andrea Berkman recalled memories she shared with Trooper Smith in the National Guard he was very unique he was not like any other soldiers who also were police officers law enforcement he was very different very positive it was very refreshing other law enforcement officers drove from far and wide like Trooper George Edwards from Tallahassee Florida in situations like this they are grieving with us they are they they are sacrificing you know their lo

ved one and so it's important that we be here and that we show our support and care and love for them and for so many who cared and loved Trooper Smith this day won't come easy it wasn't a week and a half ago that we were shoulder to shoulder in a classroom and training and so it's a stark reminder of how important it is to tell somebody you love them to care about him and you're thankful for him so we're going to miss Aaron listen and Trooper Smith we also know he currently served with the Nati

onal Guard as a utilities equipment repairer for the 38th Infantry Division the 38th sustainment Brigade 190th Transportation Battalion and 1638th transportation company so he's a very decorated soldier how much he was loved a true American hero he will not only be missed for his service but also of course his friendship and what he meant to so many people not just here in Indiana but again as you see people traveled as far away from Florida to be here to pay their respects to Trooper Smith toda

y yeah Karen a community certainly feeling the loss here thank you so much for taking us there we appreciate it Trooper Smith's Funeral will take place at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning at Emmanuel Church in Greenwood following that funeral there will be a 31 and a half mile per session to Crown Hill Cemetery here in Indianapolis and you're invited to line the route the procession will first go by Whiteland high school and stop for the final 10 42. it will then continue north passing by the neighbo

rhood where Trooper Smith grew up and the Greenwood Airport and Indianapolis Fire Station 13 before arriving at Crown Hill and you can get a closer look at that procession map on our website right now you can also watch moments of the procession as well as tomorrow's funeral service right here on WTHR we're going to be on top of coverage for this as well as our free WTHR News app and wthr.com