CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. — Family and friends of fallen Carroll County Deputy Noah Rainey laid him to rest on Sunday.
Rainey died Jan. 29 in a crash east of Rossville. Jail Deputy Dane Northcutt, who was with him in the car, also died. Rainey was on his way to assist a Rossville deputy town marshal who was involved in a pursuit on State Road 26 when Rainey's department Dodge Charger left the eastbound side of the highway and hit a pole. Rainey and Northcutt were pronounced dead at the scene.
Rainey's funeral was held at Delphi High School. The gym there was packed with family, friends and law enforcement officers honoring his life.
GALLERY: Remembering Carroll Co. Deputy Noah Rainey
"We never want to give up someone that meant so much to us. It's a comfort to me to know that like Jesus, he died in an attempt to save someone," said Jan Hobbs, Rainey's grandfather.
The tragic crash left his family with so many questions.
"I know the scripture says all things work for good for the ones who love the Lord all according to his purpose. But right now, it's difficult to understand what good can come of this," said Hobbs.
Law enforcement from neighboring communities showed up in large numbers to show support for his family and honor his legacy. That support gave the family the strength to keep going.
"If I had known how many people cared for Noah and had his back, I never would have worried as much as I did when he was on shift. We have five boys but the last few days, we found out we have a much bigger family," said Victoria Hobbs, Rainey's mother.
Among those in attendance were members of the Marion Police Department's honor guard, which participated in Rainey's funeral.
Members of the West Lafayette Police Department stood alongside hundreds of members of law enforcement as Rainey was laid to rest Sunday.
"Law enforcement is a community of overwhelming support, and it is our privilege to be able to represent the West Lafayette community as we support Carroll County while they attempt to move forward in the days following the loss of one of their own," WLPD said. "Please continue to keep Carroll County in your thoughts and prayers."
Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen and Colonel Tony Harris were also there to pay their respects. They know all too well how the Carroll County Sheriff's Office is feeling after Rainey and Northcutt's deaths.
In March 2018, the Boone County Sheriff's Office lost Deputy Jacob Pickett. Since then, members of the BCSO have vowed to "always be there for our fallen brothers and sisters, and we will for Carroll County," the BCSO said in a social media post.
Neilsen and Harris will be joined by others from the BCSO on Monday for Northcutt's funeral.
After the funeral, a procession made up of countless members of law enforcement escorted Rainey as he made one final stop at the Carroll County Sheriff's Department on his way to his final resting place at the IOOF Memorial Gardens in Delphi, where his mother gave her last goodbye.
"Noah, you have always been my hero. Rest in peace, my son. Until we meet again," said Hobbs.
Northcutt's visitation will be Monday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. ET at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, located at 400 Twyckenham Blvd. in Lafayette. A funeral service with military honors will be held following visitation at 1 p.m. ET on Monday.
