Community says its final farewells to Gayman

A crowd assembled at 11 a.m., Monday, at the Pentecostal Assembly of God Church, Nevada, in honor of Nevada Police Officer Steve Gayman, to celebrate that he lived among us, and to mourn his death.

Gayman died in an off-duty traffic crash on Thursday, Sept. 18, when he failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2005 Freightliner with the 2007 Toyota Tacoma pickup he was driving, southbound on AA Highway in Vernon County He was taken by air ambulance to Barton County Memorial Hospital in Lamar where he was pronounced dead at 11:12 a.m.

The driver of the semi, Marcus W. Wilson, 24, Bolivar was taken to Nevada Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

The Nevada Police Department released a statement on Thursday, saying, "With deep regret, the Nevada Police Department announces the passing of Sergeant Steven R. Gayman.

"Sergeant Gayman was killed this morning in a traffic accident on AA Highway in Vernon County. Steve had been with the Nevada Police Department for the past 14 years. Steve is survived by his wife, (Errica,) and two children. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced. Gary R. Herstein, Chief of Police."

Herstein said the news was a shock to the department.

"He was a fine officer and he'll be sorely missed," Herstein said.

Since then, sentiment has poured forth on the Nevada Daily Mail's Web site, honoring Gayman's memory. His passing was made all the more poignant by the death of his mother, Shirley Gayman, who died Aug. 25 in an ATV crash.

Art Morris, a retired police dispatcher and 911 operator, said, "I am sure sorry to hear about Steve. I can remember when he first started with Nevada PD and saw him grow into an incredable officer-Sgt. He comes from a wonderful family and I was saddened to hear when his mother passed away. I hope the community will get involved in some way to help the Gayman family at this time. They have my prayers and sympathy. I'm sure he will be missed and I know I will miss him very much."

Among the messages of sympathy were many notes honoring him personally and professionally. Tim Gotchall and his staff at Tim's Convenience Store, Nevada, said, "We appreciate all he did to make our community a better and safer place to live."

Gayman leaves a wife, Errica, and two children. Memorial donations may be made to a fund benefitting the children, ages 8 and 12, in care of the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City.