CUBA CITY—Eric Lyons, a long-time officer in the Cuba City community, died on Saturday morning while off-duty.
Lyons, 38 of Cuba City, was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Dubuque on Wednesday evening, Nov. 4, for a heart attack. After being sent home, he was transported by ambulance late Friday evening, Nov. 6, and was pronounced dead early Saturday morning, Nov. 7, at Southwest Health Center in Platteville.

Lyons has been the police commander of the Cuba City Police Department since 2013. He served the Cuba City community for 17 years, first starting as bike patrol in 1994-95. He was a patrol officer in Darlington and then worked as a part-time officer in Cuba City while serving as police chief in Hazel Green from 1999 to 2012. He became a full-time officer in Cuba City for one year before being promoted to commander.

“He was one of a kind,” Cuba City Police Chief Terry Terpstra said. “I don’t know how we’ll ever be able to replace him. He was a kind, gentle giant who was there for anybody and took care of everybody.”

Lyons leaves behind a wife, Tracy, son and three step-children.

“Thank you Commander Lyons for your tireless dedication to the calling of law enforcement. May you never be forgotten,” Grant County Sheriff Nate Dreckman said.

A law enforcement funeral was held for Lyons on Tuesday morning. During that ceremony, Calvin Hughes, a 22-year veteran at the Cuba City Police Department, read a 21-word salute in honor of Eric Lyons:

“The 10 Commandments are also called The Decalogue, or, The 10 Words,” Hughes said. “Each one of the 10 commandments is, from a scriptural view, only one word. The concept carries over to the New Testament, where Paul says, ‘All the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ You-shall-love-your-neighbor-as-yourself is one word. The following are only 21 words”

1. For being a son to Mike and Jeri Lyons of Cuba City, who were very proud of you … we salute you.

2. For being a loving brother to Bridgitt and Heidi and to Mike and Brent … we salute you.

3. For being a loving and caring dad to Jon … we salute you.

4. For being a loving and dedicated husband to Tracy, and for caring for her needs … we salute you.

5. For being a loving stepdad to Ashley, Katlynn, and Gage … we salute you.

6. For being a loving and fun step-grandpa to Ella and Josie; (and how you had their 2015 calendar at your work desk so you could look at them every day) … we salute you.

7. For your years of schooling, including Cuba City High School and Black Hawk Tech … we salute you.

8. For your efforts as a football coach to both Southwestern and Cuba City high school students … we salute you.

9. For your starting years in law enforcement as a bike patrol officer in Cuba City … we salute you.

10. For serving as a driver for the Cuba City Area Rescue Squad … we salute you.

11. For your years as Police Chief at Hazel Green Police Department … we salute you.

12. For your years as an officer at the Darlington Police Department … we salute you.

13. For your help with computers and videos at the Dickeyville Police Department… we salute you.

14. For your years as an officer, and later commander, at the Cuba City Police Department … we salute you.

15. For your work with computers, scheduling, setting up Trax and TiMS software, and all the other office tasks you completed in administrative capacities at the CCPD office … we salute you.

16. For your great sense of humor … we salute you.

17. For your willing heart to serve and protect … we salute you.

18. For your willingness to stand in the line of fire if needed … we salute you.

19. For the kindness and patience you showed to those in need, including to the “criminal element” … we salute you.

20. For the tattoo on your arm of Romans 13:6 … we salute you.

21. For your professional attitude and willingness-to-do-what-was-needed to help Cuba City Police Chief Terry Terpstra … we salute you.