POST FALLS, Idaho — A funeral service is planned for a Post Falls police officer who died after a heart attack on the job.
Nicolas McDaniel was only 36-years-old. It's been almost two weeks and McDaniel's patrol car still sits outside the Post Falls Police Department. People have been coming to pay respects.
"There's about a dozen of us that came up, to pay our respects, and say goodbye to Nick," Glad Elarionoff said.
Elarionoff worked with officer McDaniel in Hawaii.
"He was very charismatic and from that first week working with Nick, you knew that he was going to make an impact in the community," Elarionoff said.
Before McDaniel came to Post Falls, he worked in the Hawaii Police Department for 13 years.
"He was the kind of guy that was your kid's favorite uncle," Elarionoff said. "He's everyone's favorite uncle."
McDaniel passed away in his police car on Oct. 22 due to a massive heart attack.
"He hasn't been here very long. I think he's been here for about eight months a year. In this department. Yeah, we wish we came up sooner," Elarionoff said.
McDaniel only worked for the Post Falls Police Department for less than a year.
"He's the person you'd want interacting with your mom, if my mother got pulled over. I want nick pulling her over. He's that type of guy," Post Falls Police detective Neil Uhrig said.
Uhrig says McDaniel was always positive and respectful to his co-workers. Uhrig says McDaniel stood out as soon as he put on his uniform.
"There are certain people you get a feel for him when you talk to them, that someday they're going to be a leader. And it was him," Uhrig said.
And what Elarionoff will miss most about his friend. He has no words to describe it.
"Nick made it a better place. He made it a better place. I don't know how to explain it," He said.
The funeral service won't be open to the public, but community members who wish to support the McDaniel family are encouraged to line the procession route on North Spokane street in Post Falls once the funeral ends.
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