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Mourners line streets as Cpl. Katelyn Self laid to rest in Gaston County

By DaShawn Brown, wsoctv.com
By DaShawn Brown, wsoctv.com

GASTONIA, N.C. — A community said its final goodbyes Sunday to Gaston County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Katelyn Self during an emotional funeral service and procession.

[SLIDESHOW: Funeral, procession for Gaston County deputy Katelyn Self]

Friends, family, and deputies gathered at First Assembly of God in Gastonia to honor the life of Self, a Gaston County deputy who was killed three weeks ago when investigators said her father, Roger Self, intentionally drove his SUV into a Bessemer City restaurant.

Pastor Austin Rammell, of Venture Church in Dallas, officiated the service.

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Roger Self crashed through the Surf and Turf restaurant on May 20, killing Katelyn Self and his daughter-in-law, Amanda Self, and injuring other family members.

Katelyn Self worked with the Sheriff's Office for four years and was engaged to be married to Alex Burns, a Gastonia police officer, who spoke at her funeral.

Burns said he proposed to Self three months ago on her birthday.

“To this day, Kate's the only woman that's every really accepted me for exactly what I am,” Burns said. “I am who I am and she loved every bit of it. That will be the hardest for me.”

Sheriff Alan Cloninger described Self as a true servant, while Sgt. Scott Shirley said she was the little sister he never had.

"Her legacy is that of a true servant whose time came to end much too soon,” Cloninger said.

There were laughs and tears at the funeral and many who attended the service were still grasping Self’s death.

Community members remembered Self for her public service, but to her family, friends, co-workers, and fiancé, she will be remembered for so much more.

"She was the light in my life,” Burns said.

Burns became emotional several times while telling the congregation what he will remember most about her is her constant laughter, joy to be around people and the way she loved him.

"My heart's forever marked by your daughter, y'alls sister, y'alls co-worker and my supposed to be wife,” he said.

One of the most powerful parts of Rammell’s sermon was when he spoke about the tragic day Self died, and her fiancé rushed to hold her as she took her last breath.

"In that moment, she saw where God was,” Rammell said. “God was with Kate and will be forever."

Cloninger ended his remarks by saying they all look forward to the day when they can serve with her again.

Self’s older sister Taylor Potter described her as the greatest joy of her life.

After the service, Self’s fellow law enforcement officers escorted her hearse out of the church parking lot and through Gaston County.

Along the way, fellow deputies raised their hand to a salute as the procession passed by, firefighters raised an American flag and the procession passed under it before stopping outside the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies lined the street with hands over their hearts, while supporters did the same thing.

“I want them to know that I care and I give them my support,” said James Simpson, a former sheriff’s deputy.

“I just love police officers and I want to support them because all the things they have done for this city,” supporter Elaina Smith said.

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