Lt. Reffitt given 'last call for service' WATCH THE VIDEO

They held their positions in the poised formation of law enforcement officers, but they could not hold back their tears as a man hailed as the very embodiment of an officer of the law was given his "last call for service."

With more than a dozen K9 dogs and officers lining the entrance to the Hillsboro Cemetery, hundreds of law enforcement personnel from across three states laid to rest an exemplary officer whose work and passion made Highland County a better place to live. 

Lt. Randy Reffitt, 47, the Highland County Sheriff's Office jail administrator who died Aug. 26 due to complications from heart surgery and a stroke, was given full law enforcement honors and was buried with the ashes of Bronco, his service dog that died earlier this year. 

As Reffitt's casket was interred, a "last call" was given across law enforcement radio waves. 

"Lt. Randy O. Reffitt, you have served the citizens of Highland County for the past 17 years with the utmost integrity and professionalism," said the dispatch voice as it was amplified across the cemetery. "May God be with you as you have answered your last call for service. Your legacy will live on forever in our hearts. Godspeed, Lt. Reffitt." 

Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward gave the eulogy during Reffitt's funeral held at the Hillsboro Church of Christ. Ward said Reffitt was a great officer and a great friend, and if he had to come up with the characteristics to create the perfect officer of the law, a good start would be to look at Reffitt. 

"I stand before you with a very heavy heart," Ward said to the hundreds of people, comprised of family, friends, deputies, detectives, officers, elected officials, neighbors and community members. "Never has someone given so much to so many. This outpouring of love is a tribute to Randy and his service in our community. He had an insatiable thirst for self-improvements, and he never settled for mediocrity."

Ward said he could describe Reffitt's character in the following five words: hero, ethical, tenacious, passionate, compassionate.

Reffitt would often sit and talk with the men and women incarcerated in the Highland County Justice Center, discuss their problems and what decisions had led them there. Ward said that word had circulated through the jail that Reffitt had died and he was asked what they should be told. 

"I said, 'Tell them the truth.' Some of them got really emotional," Ward said. "Some of these are hardened criminals. In our line of business, when an inmate is sad you're gone, that's absolutely profound. That is a testament to Randy."

Reffitt's health problems began on Aug. 14 while he was assisting in a K9 demonstration. Although he had to give up being a full-time K9 officer when he was promoted to jail administrator - which made him the third in command at the Highland County Sheriff's Office - Ward said he fought to make sure the program continued strong and remained active with it. 

"He left this world doing what he absolutely loved," Ward said. 

Ward told stories of Reffitt's service with the K9, and spoke about Bronco, his service dog that was put down earlier this year. Ward said that the loss the dog was devastating for Reffitt, his wife, Shana - who is a communications officer at the HCSO - and their 5-year-old son, Chaise. Ward said that Reffitt would be buried with Bronco, "so they can be together again."

When Reffitt transferred to the HCSO from the Hillsboro Police Department, he spoke about getting a new dog so Bronco could retire. The department acquired a new dog, Asan. 

"For those of you who know Asan, you'll appreciate this," Ward said. "He was absolutely a psycho dog. He was vicious, and I stayed away from him. I would hear that Randy and Asan were out doing a drug bust or out on a hunt, I'd have them put CareFlight on standby."

Ward shared some stories of Reffitt, such as his obsession with the number 13, and that they were fellow "Parrot Heads," as the fans of Jimmy Buffett are known. He said he would share more, but "What happens at Buffett stays at Buffett." 

He then read a letter that Reffitt's two oldest children, Bradley and Sandy "Bear" had written to their father, saying that he defined character and hero in their minds. They will count their lives as successes, they wrote, if they could be half the person he was. "We will strive with every part of our being to fulfill your legacy." span>

"There are no words to provide sufficient comfort," Ward said to Reffitt's family. "But we pledge our undying support."

Ward said they are all better for having Lt. Randy Reffitt living in our midst. "Thank you, Randy, for being our friend," Ward said. "We know you are safe. We miss you. We will never forget you." 

When funeral services concluded, hundreds of law enforcement personnel lined the sidewalks surrounding the church and stood at attention and saluted as Reffitt's casket was carried outside.

Dep. Richard Warner of the Highland County Sheriff's Office held the hand of Reffitt's 5-year-old son, Chaise, as they led the casket out of the church and to an open horse and carriage. Chase and Warner rode with the casket to the cemetery. 

As the funeral procession, led by a squad of motorcycle officers and patrol cars from the Highland County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro Police Department, Greenfield Police Department, Lynchburg Police Department and Leesburg Police Department, hundreds of people lined West Main Street and High Street to pay their final respects to Reffitt. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue draped a flag over the roadway from two ladder trucks, and people on both sides of the street were saluting as the funeral procession passed under it. 

There were law enforcement agencies from surrounding counties and across southern Ohio that brought up the rear of the procession, and state Route 138 near the cemetery was lined with cruisers. Departments from Kentucky and Indiana brought in their efforts to assist so local law enforcement could pay their respects.  

Hillsboro was at a standstill as Reffitt's funeral procession made its way to the cemetery. As the final words of honor and memory were said for the lieutenant, a bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" and two buglers played "Taps," and a 21-gun salute was accorded. At the conclusion of the service, a group of aircraft flew over the cemetery in a "missing man" formation.

The grounds were silent except for the soft sounds of crying as a unit came forward and folded the flag that had draped Reffitt's casket. 

Ward was presented with the flag, and after holding it for a moment, he knelt before Shana Reffitt. He spoke soft words to her, and they embraced, crying, as he gave her the flag. Ward then placed his hand on Chaise's head and kissed the little boy on the cheek.