Sapulpa Community Gives Fallen Officer Hero's Welcome

The body of a Sapulpa police officer found murdered along with his cousin in a hotel near Oklahoma City returned home Tuesday.

According to investigators, Daphne Mason claims Johnny Grafton, her boyfriend, shot and killed his father Jeff and Lieutenant Trey Pritchard, his father’s cousin.

8/18/2015 Related Story: Affidavit: Woman Says Boyfriend Shot, Killed Father, Sapulpa Officer

Mason and Grafton remain in the Oklahoma County on murder charges.

Tuesday, family, friends and strangers lined the road between Oklahoma City and Sapulpa as Pritchard's fellow officers escorted his body back home for his funeral.

Pritchard's procession came right through the heart of Sapulpa, and everyone there either had a story to tell about the lieutenant or express how much they love and support police during this tough time.

8/18/2015 Related Story: Procession Brings Officer's Body Home To Sapulpa

"That's what this is all about, bringing our brother back home to his family," said Sapulpa Police Deputy Chief, Mike Haefner.

The long journey to bring Pritchard's body home started 90 miles away in Oklahoma City.

The Sapulpa officers escorting their fallen brother's body got an escort of their own up the turnpike from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

When the procession turned into town, Pritchard received a homecoming parade fit for a hero.

"It feels real good to show the support. You know it's a bad deal, but if does feel good to show the support for him," said supporter Chris Rich.

Terra Arnold said, "We stopped everything that we were doing because we honor our fallen because we love them."

Supporter Carolyn Arnold said she remembers when Pritchard was just a rookie.

"He was an awesome guy. Sapulpa PD picks the cream of the crop and he was the cream of the crop," she said.

Before Pritchard's hearse made its final turn into the funeral home, the Sapulpa Fire Department honored their brother in blue with a draped American flag from their ladder truck.

The Sapulpa Police Department said its officers are grateful for the people who came out to honor Pritchard.

8/17/2015 Related Story: Sapulpa Police Department Shaken After Loss Of Its Own

"It means a lot to us, and I know it means a lot to his family to see the support of people who both knew him and didn’t know him but knew of him and are paying their respects to him and his family and our department," Haefner said.

Police said services for Pritchard will be held in Sapulpa at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Chieftain Center.