Those who knew Joel Davis are sharing memories of not only a trooper, but a dad and a friend. It is a loss that is hitting everyone hard and as Brian Dwyer reports, you didn't even have to know him to feel that way.
Flowers and a card -- you didn't have to know Joel Davis to be personally touched by his life.
As the entire nation mourns the loss of a well-respected state trooper -- the North Country and Northern Jefferson County is feeling it the most.
Enough for one family to bring that offering to police, and enough for another to stop and pay their respects as his body was brought home Tuesday.
"Such a young person gone, risking his life for other people and then somebody risked his life," said Linda Holder, a Watertown resident.
But if you did know Joel Davis, you're mourning the loss of much more than a protector. You're mourning the loss of a dad, a husband, a brother, a coach, a friend, a family man who put his family and his community first.
"One of my last memories of him would have been playing in an alumni soccer game last fall. We all stayed as close as we could even though we had busy and demanding jobs,” said Assemblywoman Addie Jenne, D-Theresa.
Addie Jenne has known Joel Davis most of her life. They went to school together, played sports together and their families spent time together -- part of that bigger Theresa family.
"A house that when you drove by his parents, there was always something going on. They have a pool. It was a gathering spot. There'd always be games set up in the driveway. People would just pop in and hang out there. A fun family,” Jenne said.
Even on the job, he was a man who put others first. Not only doing his job, but helping others do theirs.
Joel Davis was also a field training officer. He spent time with new troopers -- just out of the academy. He showed them the ropes. A job his bosses say was only given to the very best.
And sure enough, it was a former student who brought this tragedy to an end.
"I can tell you one, and that's the trooper who took this man into custody last night," said NYS Police Superintendent George Beach.
Whether or not you knew Joel Davis doesn't matter. You grieve for him, his family, Nichole Walters and her family -- anyone and everyone whose heart is broken.
"Unfortunately, the tents and the tables and the people will be there to celebrate his life and what he did for our community, but I hope that their happiness can come back because that's the thing I remember most, how tight of a family they are and how much they enjoyed the company of their friends and family,” said Jenne.