A large procession escorted the body of 42-year-old Kristen Yeager from Reading Hospital to Lutz Funeral Home in Mount Penn Borough, with people lining the route to pay their respects.
Along the procession route, some homes and businesses displayed blue lights, ribbons, or balloons.
"We're trying to honor her as best we can, and we're doing it big and proud," Chief Justin Johnson of the Central Berks Regional Police Department said.
READ MORE | Berks County police officer killed in crash while responding to call
Berks County police officer killed in crash while responding to call
Residents described the turnout as overwhelming.
"I mean, gosh, it almost seems like the president. It's tremendous how many people are here," said Brittany Dulis of Mount Penn Borough.
Yeager, a mother of three young children, died after a crash while responding to a call. Police said she was driving on Route 73 with lights and sirens activated when her cruiser veered off the road, entered a ditch and struck a tree near Manatawny Road in Earl Township. She was thrown from the vehicle and later died at the hospital.
"It was the worst call I've received in my career," Johnson said.
The police chief described Yeager as a "community gem" and a tough officer with a soft side. She joined the Central Berks Regional Police Department two years ago and also worked with Boyertown and Eastern Berks Regional police. She was well-known in the communities where she served and grew up.
"She was just a genuine person. She was meant to be a police officer, she really was," said Stephanie Yerger of Mount Penn Borough.
For many, the loss is personal.
"My mom was actually a Reading police officer for the city for 20 years and she got the pleasure of training Kristen," Dulis said. "I really connect with this, and it's so hard to know that she's leaving kids behind. It's a shame. I wish she wasn't gone."
State police are investigating the crash and have not released any new information.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced but are expected in the coming days.