Loved Ones, Fellow Officers Honor Life Of Collinsville Officer Killed In Crash

Friends, family, and fellow members of law enforcement came together today to honor the life of Collinsville Police Officer Chad Goodner. Goodner died in a car crash near Afton last week. 

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Friends of Goodner said he was a family man, and a friend to everyone he met, and it's hard to put into words how much he will be missed.

"You hear these stories of people describing somebody as big as a bear, and so kind and that was Chad," said Major Coy Jenkins with Rogers County Sheriff's Office. 

Goodner worked for the Collinsville Police Department for eight years before he was deployed to Afghanistan as a forward observer. Mike Smith with the Patriot Guard Riders said Goodner is the definition of a true American hero. 

"He was one of those that was in front of us that stood up, so he was out, in front of the front lines," Smith said. 

After serving in the military for five years, he began working as a reserve officer for Collinsville police. He became passionate about working with people who were struggling with their mental health. 

Deputy Erik Zoellner said he worked with Goodner years ago and said he will always be remembered for the work he was doing. 

"He was a man of peace, and a man of joy, and just spending time with him, you enjoyed that," Zoellner said. 

While Zoellner said so many people are feeling the pain of losing Goodner, he is holding on to the promise that he will see him again. 

"He was part of our family, but I believe in my heart strongly that we will see Chad again in heaven," he said.

If you would like to give flowers or cards to the family, you can take them to the Collinsville Police Department.