The body of fallen Pennsylvania State Police trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr. is now back home after arriving at the Corry Airport on Monday afternoon.

Rougeau, 29, was killed in the line of duty in Juniata County in central Pennsylvania on Saturday.

He received a hero's welcome. The airport's tarmac was covered with police cars and a line of state police troopers saluting. They were joined by police from the City of Erie, Millcreek Township, City of Corry and other departments in the region who also wanted to pay their respects.

Together, police escorted him from the airport to Bracken Funeral Home. The community lined the street to pay their respects as the hearse traveled through the city.

Rougeau attended high school in Corry and was an athlete. Family, friends and colleagues told Erie News Now he always wanted to be a state trooper. He spent almost three years with State Police.

Rougeau got caught up over the weekend in an assault on state police which was described as a game of cat-and-mouse. The suspect was armed with a long, high-powered rifle who was shooting at their vehicles and shooting randomly throughout the community. Rougeau's state police vehicle was shot through the window, killing him in the line of duty. One other officer, a commanding officer, was shot and critically injured while trying to track down and stop the suspect.

The commander of State Police Troop E, Capt. Kirk Reese, was part of the group of officers locally who supported the family, informing them of what happened at the Lewistown barracks where Rougeau served.

"It's a great honor to show honor not only to our fallen brother, but to his family and all his friends in the Corry area, because I know this is a big impact to the career here," said Capt. Reese. "Every trooper, every member of our department and every law enforcement agency is affected by what happened there. Law enforcement is a dangerous profession. We all accept that, but it hits us hard when incidents like this happen to one of our own."

The trooper's mother, Angela Gervasio, was flown in here by helicopter shortly before the aircraft carrying his body arrived. There was a whole group from the American Legion Post in Wesleyville where she works. She's a veteran. They arrived at the airportwith flags to hug and support her as well.

Erie News Now is hearing as many as 2,000 officers from across the state will be coming to the area for the funeral. Arrangements have not yet been finalized.