Hamley Family Reacts to Shooting Death

Erin Hamley`s family is still reeling with the shock and sadness of the situation. KNWA`s Alexa Hamblin spoke to some of Erin`s family today, she brings us the story of one particular member of this tight-knit family. 22-year-old Bud Hamley and his 21-year-old brother, Erin, were very close. Bud was a protector and a best friend to his younger brother, who was mentally retarded and who suffered from cerebral palsy. By all accounts Erin Hamley was a warm, friendly young man. "I always knew him as a friendly guy, everyone knew him as friendly," Bud says with a smile. "I think if you ask anyone who knew him -- he`d walk around the town just to say hi to everyone and he tried to make everyone`s day happier." Now the family has some sad days ahead of them. On Monday, they will bury Erin, and on Tuesday, big brother Bud will finish his National Guard training, preparing him to head to Iraq to meet up with the Charlie Battery in a few weeks. "Going into the service, I knew there would be days that would be hard, but I never thought that my younger brother would be shot. That`s kind of hard to deal with that -- and my family, especially leaving my mom here," Bud says. Erin came from a family of six siblings. Their mother, Mary Hamley, is taking the news hard. Bud explains, "She`s really hurt hard, that was her special kid." Erin was mentally retarded and suffered from cerebral palsy since birth. Bud says his brother`s condition was similar to their grandfather`s, only worse, which is why the family has a hard time understanding why one state trooper shot and killed someone who the family feels was visibly handicapped. "I know the officer was a really good officer. I know he`s probably feeling really bad, but one out of five officers drew their weapons, he`s the only one who did." Erin Hamley`s viewing will be from 2 till 8 p.m. Sunday, at Sisco Funeral Chapel on 705 West Meadow in Springdale. His funeral is set for 10 Monday morning. A memorial fund has been set up at First Security Bank in Springdale under Erin`s full name, Joseph Erin Hamley. The account number is 630810. I`m Alexa Hamblin for KNWA... Northwest Arkansas news.