CINCINNATI — Mourners gathered Saturday to honor the life of Hamilton County deputy Cpl. Adam McMillan, who died Oct. 23 after a crash with a Metro bus.
McMillan, 42, was a 19-year veteran of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Speaking at his funeral, the Rev. Steve Angi eulogized him as a lifelong public servant who cared deeply for his community.
"Adam was never too busy for anyone," he said. "He wanted to make sure everyone's rights were upheld with justice. It was his calling to help us."
Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil audibly struggled to speak on the day he announced McMillan’s death. By Saturday, he had recovered his voice. Neil and other members of the sheriff’s office described longtime friendships with McMillan and said they hoped to celebrate his legacy for years to come.
Deputy Jason Hovekamp, a friend and colleague of McMillan’s, said he was “the one friend I could call day or night."
"Adam and I were not blood, but we treated each other like brothers," he said.
And McMillan went out of his way for him, he added.
"On my 35th birthday, he made me a cake that looked just like a police cruiser with lights on it,’” he said. “I asked him, 'How long did it take you to make that cake?' He said, 'Oh, six or seven hours.’”
Speaking to mourners, McMillan’s mother thanked the law enforcement community for their support in the weeks since his crash.
"I don't think I could get through this without all of you," she said through tears. "Our blood now is blue, and we are now all family, and I am so proud to call you family."
