Oakland Athletics honor fallen Hayward Sgt. Scott Lunger

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The Oakland Athletics saluted law enforcement officers on Sunday and took time to honor fallen Hayward Police Sgt. Scott Lunger.

Oakland ended up beating the Houston Astros 5-4. But before the game, it was time to salute a fallen hero. It began with a national anthem then on-field police motorcade. It was a fitting tribute to the longtime A's mega fan.

Before the game, team members presented his family with jerseys bearing the Lunger name. The honor was overwhelming to the fallen sergeant's father, Paul.

"You know, the A's got us here where we wanna be, made us feel really good and Scott is with us right now," he said.

Then came the biggest honor of all -- Paul threw out the first pitch to his son's all-time favorite player, Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson.

"I did the best I could, Rickey covered for me," Paul said with a laugh. "It was a wonderful experience. You know, I was nervous. I'm sure my son Scott is jealous of me being up on that mound. It's where he always wanted to be."

Sgt. Lunger's daughters, Ashton and Saralyn, were also there.

A jersey with his badge number, 106, hung in the team's dugout for the entire game.

And before the game, the players wore Hayward police caps in honor of the fallen sergeant.

The 15-year veteran was shot and killed July 22 in the line of duty during a routine traffic stop. A suspect was arrested.

Lunger's longtime girlfriend, police dispatcher Jennfer Lee, was proud to see him honored by so many.

"It was amazing," she said. "So many people, friends, family from all over the Bay Area have come to support us. And it's just honorable to see everyone out there."

A son, father, hero, and baseball fan who will never be forgotten.

Click here for full coverage on the Hayward police shooting.

PHOTOS: Procession, memorial for fallen Hayward Sgt. Scott Lunger

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