More than 11 years after losing her father, a Chandler police officer killed in a crash, she was surrounded by the same law enforcement community again. This time as a bride.
Ashlyn Holmes-Fuller was married to her husband David, in February at an outdoor Gilbert, AZ wedding. Now in her 20s, Ashlyn was only 11 years old when her dad died.
Officer Bryant Holmes was killed on October 28, 2014 when the motorcycle he was riding to work, was hit by a vehicle that ran a red light.
In the years since Officer Holmes’ passing, Ashlyn said Chandler Police officers stood beside her family in their grief. They showed up for the special milestones her dad could no longer attend.
“That is beyond anything I can honestly put to words,” Ashlyn said.
One special moment Ashlyn said she had never forgotten was when several uniformed officers accompanied her to her daddy daughter dance. The dance happened shortly after her dad died.
It was that occasion which prompted Ashlyn to invite the Chandler officers to stand by her again years later, when she said, ‘I do.’ “It’s always been super special to have anyone from Chandler PD do anything with us,” Ashlyn said. “So having them on a big day like this, I couldn’t ask for anything different.”
Officer Tyler Service, who still serves within the Chandler Police Department, was a friend of Officer Holmes. He has remained close with the family over the years and answered the call to standby at Ashlyn’s wedding.
“It’s just very emotional,” Officer Service said. “I’m proud to be here, honored to be here.” Officer Service has stepped in many times, while Ashlyn and her siblings were growing up.
“He’s been there when we had every anniversary for every year,” Ashlyn said. “He’s just been the closest thing to a brother, a father, uncle figure.”
During the ceremony, Ashlyn asked Officer Service to sit next to a chair displaying her dad’s picture and flag. Officer Noah Dueker also honored the bride’s special request.
“He’s absolutely here, he’s watching,” Officer Service said. “This chair has his picture on it, but he might as well be sitting there, because he’s that close.”
After the ceremony, Officer Service and Dueker together folded Fallen Officer Holmes’ flag and returned it to Ashlyn.
“If I had to keep one part of today, it probably would be carrying his flag down (the aisle),” Ashlyn said.
It was a series of heartfelt moments serving as a reminder of the lasting impact of Fallen Officer Holmes’ legacy.