City bids farewell to officer

The funeral procession for McCook Police Officer James McConville

McCook Police Officer James McConville was laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery Monday morning.

McConville, who spent more than 22 years of his life serving the city of McCook, died at Community Hospital of McCook on Wednesday at the age of 45.

"Death is always difficult," Pastor Clark Bates of the McCook Christian Church told McConville's family and friends. "But it is always more difficult when someone is taken suddenly in the prime of their life."

"Never forget you have faithful friends. Don't be afraid to lean on them. They need to help you in order to help them get through their sorrow as much as you need them to get through yours," he told McConville's family.

McConville is survived by his wife, Mary; three sons, Brad, Scott and Daniel; his mother Patricia McConville; and special friend Tami Crabtree, all of McCook.

"(Being a police officer) is definitely not an easy job, but it's a job he dedicated his entire adult life to. He not only did his job, but he went above and beyond. His motivation was for the kids," Bates said, extolling McConville's accomplishments of bringing the McGruff the Crime Dog program to McCook and his active involvement in the Crimestoppers program.

More than 50 law enforcement officers and emergency personnel in addition to a number of family and friends attended the service.