Omaha Officer Greg Hamill died in February 2014 from flu complications after contracting the virus while at work. He's survived by his wife and two young children.
His service to the force will be forever honored. Officer Hamill's name is being added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C.
Officer Hamill's wife Vanessa and children, Taryn and Ian, describe the moment they found out about the honor as bittersweet.
Two and a half years after the death of Officer Greg Hamill, the family has adjusted to a new kind of normal.
"I know one thing that my kids love is to hear daddy stories and there are so, so many daddy stories," said Vanessa Hamill. "We talk about daddy all the time here."
Officer Hamill's service to the force and his community is being saluted in May with a spot on the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Officers with the Omaha Police Department and family friends from Texas all plan to attend the ceremony.
"I'm looking forward to going to Washington and seeing my dad's name on the plaque," said Ian Hamill.
Forever honoring his lasting legacy. Vanesssa Hamill says her late husband would be humbled.
"I know Greg well enough to know that he would even be looking back or he would even be looking at this and just saying 'what are yall doing, you know, it's just me. it's just Greg,'" said Vanessa. "With his Texas accent. He'd actually be quite taken a back for any of the attention."
Hamill was one of the eight officers who received a Horse of Honor statue. The family says they're forever grateful for the outpouring of support from the Omaha Police Department.
"I'd always say that Greg gave us a gift of 800 brothers and sisters," said Vanessa Hamill. "He didn't even know he was doing that for us and he did."
Officer Hamill was a twelve year veteran of the Omaha police force.
