BUFFALO, N.Y. — Members of the Buffalo Police Department and the New York Army National Guard remembered Officer Craig Lehner as a dedicated soldier, a devoted officer and a man who believed in serving his country and his community. 

Some 8,000 people attended the funeral service to pay their respects to Lehner, who died during a training exercise in the Niagara River. His body was found after five emotionally wrenching days of searching the water.

Buffalo Police Chief Dennis Richards said Lehner embodied the inscription on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., where Lehner's name will be carved: "It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived." 

"Let it never be forgotten that Craig E. Lehner decided to be part of a brotherhood bigger than himself," Richards told everyone inside KeyBank Center. "Let it never be forgotten that Craig E. Lehner was a good and decent man." 

In addition to his nine years with the Buffalo Police Department and his service both with the department's K-9 unit and underwater recovery team, Lehner served 16 years with the 105th Military Police, a unit of the Air National Guard, retiring in 2016 with the rank of staff sergeant. He was a decorated soldier and officer. 

"Once you met Craig, you had a friend for life," said Ret. Sgt. Mark Sorrentino of the N.Y. Army National Guard. "You could see how Craig lived his life, he knew every day was a gift. He lived his life without fear, determined to accomplish his goals and dreams. Once you met Craig you had a friend for life." 

Repeatedly, Lehner's close relationship with his partner, Shield, was mentioned. The German Shepherd worked with Lehner only for a year but the pair had a bond that suggested a much longer relationship. 

"Craig loved being a dog handler," said Lt. Salvatore Losi, supervisor of the Buffalo Police Department's K-9 unit. "His amazing accomplishments live on in his K-9 partner Shield. I can't believe hey only trained and worked with Shield for 13 months." 

Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said the department has had dozens of calls from people wanting to adopt Shield, including several requests from Derenda's daughter. However, Shield will remain with the department.

"He needs to work because that's what's Officer Lehner would want him to do," Derenda said. "He will be a living legacy, a daily reminder to all of us of the strength, courage and dedication of Craig Lehner." 

Despite being nearly 20 years younger than other members of the unit, Lehner quickly became a role model for the other officers. 

Lehner's badge number will be retired and his locker sealed and never used again, Losi said. 

Detective Leo McGrath of the underwater recovery team recalled Lehner's nickname was "Superman." Lehner's confidence was apparent from the first day he joined the team. 

Lehner's partner for nearly a decade, Officer Tommy Champion, said the two would often start dancing in their patrol car if they saw another driver in a car next to them enjoying a song. The driver, when he or she noticed the two officers dancing in the car next to them, would laugh. 

"I could always count on him having my back and, without question, I always had his," Champion said. 

He urged the other officers and members of the military in attendance to not feel dismayed at Lehner's passing but to draw strength from his example. 

"We shall not falter," he said. "We will continue to work toward a better tomorrow, carrying the oaths we all solemnly vow to. This is who we are and this world needs us." 

Champion said, in closing, that "God has gained one of his best soldiers as an angel in his army." 

A procession transported Lehner to Forest Lawn Cemetery, where he was buried with full military honors.