NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsSpring Hill Police Department Mourns Loss Of Fallen Officer

Spring Hill Police Department Mourns Loss Of Fallen Officer

By Amanda Hara

SPRING HILL, Tenn. - A mid-state police officer survived a weekend wreck, only to die days later after surgery. His family, friends, and colleagues were preparing themselves for a much different outcome.

By all accounts, Corporal Jeremy McLaren was facing an easy recovery from a broken leg. After surgery he was up and walking, joking with his police chief, and excited about the Super Bowl. Hours later, he was dead.

McLaren's cruiser was hit on Highway 31 in Columbia by a truck that ran a red light.

Spring Hill Police Chief John Smith never left McLaren's side.

"I myself lead the ambulance through emergency traffic all the way to Vanderbilt," said Chief Smith.

It was not just the brotherhood of police officers that kept colleagues close to McLaren over the last three days. Fellow officers said McLaren's infectious smile, genuine disposition and endless compassion for his community is what kept them coming back.

"He'll probably be that whisper in my ears to be a little safer - to be a little more vigilant. I'm sure he'll be reminding us everyday to stay frosty just the way he was," said Chief Smith.

When McLaren found himself in the hospital, his chief was there. When McLaren came out of surgery for a broken leg, his chief was still there.

McLaren survived the crash, the surgery, but not the Sunday after. Chief Smith said a blood clot is likely to blame. Just as his co-workers never left his side, they believe McLaren will never leave theirs.

"These officers I work with are like my kids… my brothers… my sisters. Just like he'd been one of my children – I have two – when they're hurting I'm not going to leave them alone. That's the way we do business," said Chief Smith.

"Did you see that smile [in his] picture? That's Jeremy – I mean there's nothing fake about that it's just how he was," said one of McLaren's fellow officers.

Even after his death, officers remained with McLaren's body around the clock.

His funeral was set for Friday at Brentwood Baptist Church.

Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol are still investigating the deadly crash. No charges have been filed against the truck driver.

E-mail: ahara@newschannel5.com