Pastor: Slain WDBJ cameraman made an impact on others
ROANOKE, Va. - The pastor speaking at the funeral of slain WDBJ-TV cameraman Adam Ward told mourners that just as in life, Ward has left an impact on others through his death.
The Rev. Rob Lough told more than 500 people at Ward's funeral at First Baptist Church in Roanoke Tuesday about the 27-year-old Ward's compassion and laughter, his passion and wit.
Lough related several jokes that the Virginia Tech graduate would tell at the expense of archrival University of Virginia.
Lough told several stories, including the time Ward's principal at Salem High School, who uses a wheelchair, challenged him to a race.
Another story was about when Ward disrupted the press box at Virginia Tech's football stadium by cheering after the Hokies scored a touchdown.
Lough says Ward loved people - "and the people loved Adam Ward."
Adam Ward's brother and sister also spoke on the family's behalf at his funeral.
Jay Ward told mourners Tuesday that while Adam was the little brother, "we always looked up to him."
He says that when they were growing up, dodgeball consisted of putting Adam in the middle of the hallway and hitting him from both sides.
His sister, Sarah Crowder, says Adam "was a good sport." She says that while his death has been devastating for the family, she says that there have been more laughs than tears about their brother's memory.
At Ward's funeral Tuesday, WDBJ employees filled eight pews on the church's front right side.
A wreath of Virginia Tech orange and deep red flowers was draped over Ward's casket. He graduated from the school in 2011.
An 80-member choir, an organist, and a 10-member string section performed.
Ward and Parker had been on an early morning assignment at Smith Mountain Lake when Vester Lee Flanagan walked up and shot them and Vicki Gardner, a Chamber of Commerce official, with a 9mm Glock pistol during a live interview. Ward and Parker died at the scene and Gardner is recovering in a hospital.
Thousands of viewers across the central Virginia community watched the shooting, and the footage quickly spread to millions on social media. Flanagan shot himself as police pursued his car. He died hours later.