An honor guard of Rapid City police officers saluted former police chief Tom Hennies as his flag-draped casket left the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on Tuesday.

Hennies died after a lengthy illness on his 70th birthday last week.

Most prominent among the uniformed officers attending Hennies funeral was a large company of officers from the Rapid City Police Department. Representatives of other law enforcement and public service agencies also were visible, as were Rapid City Diplomats and the yellow vests of Downtown Lions Club members.

Former legislators who worked with Hennies during his eight years in the state Legislature were at Rushmore Hall. So were everyday people - 750 to 800 total - who lives Hennies touched.

Pastor Duane Duley of Zion Lutheran Church counted himself among them. He said although Hennies was a policeman and legislator, he also was a "very special individual" who set goals, dedicated himself to community service and to God.

As a shoe-shine boy in a Rapid City barber shop, Hennies had already set his life's course.

"I will be chief of the police in Rapid City," Hennies told customers.

"He never wavered in his answer," Duley said. "He followed that dream and calling."

Along the way, Hennies served four years in the Army, earned bachelor's and master's degrees, was married and had two children.

Hennies joined the police department in 1965 as a patrolman. Working his way up the ranks, he was named chief in 1984.

"For 16 years, he molded and shaped the Rapid City Police Department into what it is today," Duley said.

After his retirement, Hennies decided to do something new, and a legislative career followed.

"Tom believed everyone has an obligation to serve and do something for his fellow man," Duley said.

But, it was the private man, the no-nonsense "let's get to the heart of the matter" church elder who helped hire him that Duley knew best.

"It's been a good walk, but it's never been dull," Duley said, recalling fishing trips with Hennies' version of "man food"- hard-boiled eggs, cheese and crackers, sausage and beer.

And there was Hennies' preference for sermons that lasted only as long as a Lifesaver candy.

As his life came to an end, Hennies remained a man who valued a plan. He left notes that included directing that "God Bless America" be the final song at his funeral.

Flag and country and service were his recurring themes.

Massive U.S. and South Dakota flags flew at half staff at Black Hills National Cemetery and statewide at the request of the governor.

Uniformed officers at attention watched pallbearers - a neighbor, a retired policeman, a retired mayor, fellow Lions Club members, all friends - gently bring the flag-draped casket into the memorial rotunda. The casket again passed through an honor guard of officers who extended heartfelt salutes.

At the close of the brief committal service, the flag covering the coffin was removed and presented to the family. Taps sounded in the background.

The casket's final stop was Section H, No. 481.

The flag also flew at half staff outside Zion Lutheran Church, where family members and other mourners gathered after services. Over bottled pop, Shane Hennies reflected on the day.

He lamented not being able to play Dan Fogleberg's "Leader of the Band," which includes a tribute to a father: "his gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand … I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough. And pappa, I don't think I said I love you near enough."

Shane said his father made sure he said that one last time in his written "do this and do that" funeral instructions. Tom's postscript said: "I love my family and apologize for anything I have ever done to make them believe otherwise."

"He was the most moral, ethical and truthful individual I have ever met," Shane said. "I am proud to call myself his son."

"A lot of people said a lot of nice things about him today," he said. "We are very grateful."

Staff writers Jason Gross, Pat Dobbs and Jomay Steen contributed to this story.