KOKOMO, Ind. -- Deputy Carl Koontz was much more than a member of the Howard County Sheriff's Department: He was a new father with a young family and a school resource officer at Northwestern Community Schools.
Koontz, 27, was shot and killed while serving a warrant early Sunday morning.
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Northwestern Elementary Principal Ron Owings said Koontz was a "great guy" who shared responsibilities with another school resource officer.
Owings said Koontz would join him at the front door in the morning and greet students.
"As much as he loved his job, he also enjoyed his time off with his family. He was a proud dad," Owings said.
All of the schools in the district will have counselors available for students Monday. Students are also planning a tribute for Koontz.
A woman's Facebook post about Deputy Koontz teaching her daughter about car seat safety has been shared nearly 5,000 times.
"Officer Koontz stood out in the cold for at least 30 minutes talking to Adalynne about car seat safety. He couldn't help but giggle every time she responded with her sassy remarks (she was not afraid that he was a cop what so ever). He then told us he has a little boy and asked if this is what he had to look forward to, I laughed and said 'Oh, you have no idea!' The news of his passing just breaks my heart. He was one of the sweetest men & officer I have met & was so patient and kind to Adalynne," the woman wrote.
A few weeks ago adalynne was giving me lots of trouble about staying in her car seat. She had fought me for days before...
Posted by Brianne Harness on Sunday, 20 March 2016
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