Friends remember officer killed

TROTWOOD, Ohio (WDTN) - A card, a stuffed animal and flowers now mark the spot where a Trotwood police officer lost his life.

David Yaney was on his way to work at the Trotwood Police Department just as he had done for 33 years, but he never reported for duty Wednesday morning.

Just before 6:00 am, a witness called 911 to report a vehicle had gone over an embankment and into a creek off Taywood Road in Englewood.

Emergency crews searched desperately for Yaney, but the darkness and deep water did them no favors.

His body was recovered from the water, as was his red pickup truck.

Yaney's fellow police officers stood by with heavy hearts.

They're used to responding to emergencies, but this one is different.  It's one of their own.

Too soon to speak on camera, the Trotwood Police Chief released this statement:

"Officer Yaney was not only a colleague and friend, but he was our family.  We are heartbroken and grief stricken.  It's hard to find the words to express our feelings of loss and sadness.  We ask that you keep the family, the Trotwood Police Department and our community in your prayers."

For family and friends, there aren't words fit to describe the loss, but for the community, it has lost a protector and dedicated public servant.

"Very nice, super nice guy.  All I can say is I pray for him and his family and I give him all of my sincere condolences," said Ivory Kennedy, friend of Officer Yaney.

One former colleague of Yaney said he spent Wednesday evening on the telephone, reminiscing with friends and remembering the good times they shared.