14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-A Show Of Respect For A Fallen Hero

A Show Of Respect For A Fallen Hero

Reporter: Drew Speier

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

UPDATE, THU, 8:30 AM: It was a farewell befitting a hero.

The funeral for marine reservist Sergeant Brock Babb, killed in Iraq earlier this month, took place on Wednesday.

He was a hometown hero; a Marine, father, friend and husband, who fought and died for his country.

Florence Sterrett says, "I think it's a huge loss to the community obviously, just wanted to show up."

Hundreds of people, some of whom didn't even know Sergeant Babb, came to Saint Boniface Catholic Church for his funeral.

Joan Phillips says, "Our boys are going over there, and giving their lives, so that we can stand here and do this."

Babb's casket was taken into the church by his fellow Marines. The service inside lasted about two hours.

Babb was also a coach in the wrestling programs, at Reitz High School and at Tekoppel Elementary School.

And many students, like Orion Hall, came to say goodbye and mourn. "I didn't know him for a real long time, but from the time I knew him he was always doing something. He was busy constantly."

After the funeral, Babb was taken to St. Joseph's Cemetery, and people lined the procession route in support. At the cemetery, workers stopped what they were doing.

Family friend Chris Powers says, "Brock's 13-year-old daughter, Zoe, was my daughter's best friend, and a lot of these guys out here do know Brock."

Complete with bagpipes, Babb was given a full military burial, complete with a 21-gun salute.

Sergeant Brock Babb, our hometown hero, is laid to rest.

Powers adds, "We're definitely going to miss him, he was a good person. The world needs a lot more people like him."

If you were unable to attend the visitation or funeral, there will be another service for Sergeant Babb this Saturday at noon, aboard LST 325, and will include a 21-gun salute.

Reporter: Drew Speier

New Media Producer: Rachel Beavin

UPDATE, WED 6:30 PM: A farewell fitting a hero.

Wednesday was the funeral for Marine Reservist Sgt. Brock Babb who was killed in Iraq earlier this month. He was a hometown hero, a Marine, who fought and died for his country. 

Hundreds of people, some of whom didn't even know Sgt. Babb, came to Saint Boniface Church Wednesday morning for his funeral.

Babb's casket was taken into the church by his fellow Marines. The service inside lasted about two hours. 

Babb was a coach in the wrestling programs at Reitz High School and at Tekoppel Elementary School. Many students came to say goodbye and remember.

After the funeral, Babb was taken to St. Joseph's Cemetery. People lined the procession route in support. At the cemetery, workers stopped what they were doing. 

Sgt. Babb was given a full military burial complete with bagpipes and a 21 gun salute.

A family friend of Sgt. Babb, Chris Powers, said, "We're definitely going to miss him. He was a good person. The world needs a lot more people like him." 

There will be a service on board LST 325 honoring Sgt. Babb this Saturday at noon and will include a 21 gun salute.

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

UPDATE, WED, 10:45 AM: An Evansville Marine, killed in Iraq, is being laid to rest Wednesday.

The funeral for Sergeant Brock Babb is underway now, at St. Boniface Catholic Church.

On Tuesday, the community came out to show their support. Visitation was held at the Armory, due to the large number of friends and neighbors, wanting to pay their respects to the Babb family.

The Marine reservist was killed in Iraq just over a week ago, just a month after entering the combat zone west of Baghdad.

The Vanderburgh County Commission asks all Vanderburgh County residents to show their support for the Babb family, by proudly displaying the American flag on homes and cars.

Babb was a coach in the wrestling programs at Reitz High School and Tekoppel Elementary School.

He is survived by his wife Barbara and their three children, Levi, Zoe and Tanner.

UPDATE, WED, 6:15 AM: 14 News has a request from the Vanderburgh County Commission.

They are asking all Vanderburgh County residents to show their support for the Babb family, by proudly displaying the American flag on homes and cars, as a sign of solidarity and respect for Sergeant Brock Babb, his family and all those serving in the United States armed forces.

The Marine reservist was killed in Iraq just over a week ago, just a month after entering the combat zone west of Baghdad. 

The 40-year-old was a coach in the wrestling programs at Reitz High School and at Tekoppel Elementary School.

He's survived by his wife Barbara and their three children, Levi, Zoe and Tanner.

Sergeant Babb's funeral will be Wednesday morning at 10:00, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Evansville.

Reporter: Jonathan Hardison
New Media Producer: Rachel Chambliss

UPDATE, TUE 9:30 PM: On Tuesday, the community showed their support to the family of Sgt. Brock Babb.

Visitation was held at the Armory because of the large number of friends and neighbors wanting to pay their respects to Babb's family.

The Marine Reservist was killed in Iraq. He was a coach in the wrestling programs at Reitz High School and at Tekoppel Elementary School.

Many of his former students and their families wanted to share their memories of their friend, and family and friends came out by the hundreds to pay their last respects.

Trevor Mody, 7th grade wrestler, says, "He just made us be our best. He made us run; he just made me the best wrestler."

Cassie Turpin, a family friend, says, "It means so much to him and his family. And with the T-shirts and stuff; you can just tell it means so much."

Sgt. Babb's funeral will be Wednesday morning at 10 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Evansville.

Reporter: Jonathan Hardison

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

UPDATE, TUE, 6:00 AM: The body of an Evansville Marine, killed in Iraq, is back home Tuesday morning.

Marine reservist Sergeant Brock Babb was killed in action west of Baghdad, eight days ago. His body was flown into Louisville Monday night, then brought back to Evansville for a final trip past the places he loved.

Just a month after entering the combat zone in Iraq, the body of 40-year-old Marine Sergeant Brock Babb returned home to a silent and respectful hero's welcome.

Sergeant Babb and his family gave to the westside community. Westside business owner Steve McCullough tells 14 News, "The one son is coach up at Reitz. We've all kind of grown up with them. They've been a west side family a long time."

Now, it's their turn to give back support and a shared sense of grief. McCullough says, "Just to show how much everybody loves them. How much we appreciate what Brock did for the US, going over there and fighting for our country."

Two of Babb's wrestling students at Tekoppel Elementary, stayed up late on a school night to pay final respects to a coach that inspired them.

Fourth-grade wrestler Patrick Schnell says, "He was an outstanding coach. I couldn't think anything wrong about him. I mean, he was just the best."

And wrestler Jordan Dietz adds, "Coach Babb made it an awesome sport. And when we were down, he made us happy."

Schnell thought of Sergeant Babb as family. "That's an important thing, because he was like a second dad to me - probably the second best person I know."

The crowd braved cold and exhaustion; willing to make this small sacrifice in appreciation of Sergeant Babb's greater one.

Tekoppel parent Tom Riddle says, "He did so much for everyone else, I just feel - and my wife and family feel - it's our choice to put in a little time for him."

Visitation for Brock Babb will held Tuesday, at the National Guard Armory. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10:00 AM at St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Reporter: Jonathan Hardison
New Media Producer: Rachel Chambliss

UPDATE, MON 8:45 PM: The body of Marine Sergeant Brock Babb arrived in Louisville Monday night, and at about 8:45 p.m. began the journey to Evansville.

Previously: An Evansville Marine, killed in Iraq, returns home Monday night to a hero's welcome.

Forty-year-old Sergeant Brock Babb died in combat action last Sunday about 50 miles west of Baghdad.

Babb was a lifelong westsider and volunteer coach at several local schools. Some of those schools will turn out Monday night to show their support to the Babb family.

Sergeant Babb was known as Coach Babb to his wrestling students. He coached them as part of Reitz High School's wrestling program.

Babb helped solidify the school's feeder program by coaching Tekoppel Elementary's wrestling team for more than a decade.

Monday night, teachers and current and former students will line the street outside the school to watch as coach Babb takes one final trip past the school.

Julie Dietz, Tekoppel's PTA president, says, "He meant the world to us here at Tekoppel. He touched a lot of lives here - my family, my husband and my children. He's just a wonderful person, and we hope lots of people come to join us this [Monday] evening."

Complete Procession Route of Sgt. Brock Babb

Family and friends are asking anyone who can to come out to Tekoppel Elementary Monday night around 9 p.m. They'll have American flags to pass out and wave once the procession comes by sometime after 10 p.m.