Funeral services for Ayers were held Tuesday morning at Maiden Lane Church of God, followed by his burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Springfield.
Ayers joined the Springfield police force in 1976 and retired in 1998. He spent 14 of those years as a lieutenant. During his career, he was honored as Officer of the Year by the Springfield Association of Underwritiers.
He was shot and killed while vacationing at Myrtle Beach State Park with his 13-year-old son and his wife, current Springfield police Capt. Teresa Ayers.
Horry County police found Ayers’ body inside his motor home after responding to the report of a domestic dispute. Ayers’ son told a county dispatcher that he shot his father to protect his mother.
Ayers’ 13-year-old son has been charged with murder as a juvenile in the case. The teen remains in the South Carolina Juvenile Justice Center in Columbia.
He is expected in court at the end of next week.
Previous Stories: August 11, 2005: 13-Year-Old Stands Accused Of Killing Father August 10, 2005: Retired Springfield Police Officer Shot, Killed August 10, 2005: Fatal Shooting Ends Vacation For Springfield Family