Alabama Buries Slain Bus Driver

Hundreds of mourners gather in Ozark, Alabama, for the funeral of school bus driver, Charles Albert Poland Jr., who was fatally shot during the abduction of a child from his bus.

Published

3 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

United States

People

Jimmy Lee Dykes, Charles Albert Poland Jr

Places

United States of America, Alabama

Transcript

A casket carries the remains of a bus driver, dubbed a "hero" for trying to protect schoolchildren from a gunman. Charles Albert Poland Jr. was buried on Sunday (February 3), as the hostage stand-off in Alabama's Midland City continued for a sixth day. The bus driver lost his life as a gunman abducted a child from his bus. Suspect Jimmy Lee Dykes is believed to be holding the 5-year-old boy in an underground bunker. Local officials were among the hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects. Residents say the bus driver was well loved. SOUNDBITE: ANTHONY HILL, R.O.T.C HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR FROM OZARK, ALABAMA, SAYING (English): "He was just an outstanding person and cared about kids, and, ultimately gave his all to protect those kids." SOUNDBITE: EVELYN COLLIER, FROM NEWTON, ALABAMA, SAYING (English): "He was a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) President one year: just a guy you can always call on and know he will be there to help you; loved working with the teachers and the kids, and you just learned to appreciate him so much there." The FBI and other authorities are continuing negotiations with Dykes, in the hope he will surrender the child.