Andy Peterson and Myriah Erickson were deemed the perfect couple. Like a fairy tale story of childhood sweethearts they were classmates who began dating at the age of 12, they were voted prom king and queen by their peers and they graduated from high school together in 1999.

For as long as anyone can remember, it was always Andy and Myriah, the couple voted most likely to stay together until death do them part. They both attended college, developed their careers and were married in front of God, family and friends in 2003. Together they built a home and began raising a family, complete with three beautiful children, Mackena, Brekk and Haakon.

The Peterson’s were living the American dream, until Tuesday, January 26, when that dream was cut short and God called Andy home at the age of 29.

Andy didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, tell Myriah or his parents how much he loved them, kiss the cheeks of his three beautiful children or thank his friends and co-workers for always being there.

A policeman by career, Andy faced danger on a regular basis, but his death didn’t come at the hands of another. Instead his own body threw the knockout punch, when his heart of gold stopped pumping.

The day of the funeral I heard it said that Andy was one of the good guys; not just by profession, but in life. He loved living in general, serving his community, spending time outdoors, hunting with his dogs and most of all spending time with his wife and children.

Andy will be sadly missed, which was evident by the 50-plus police cars that participated in the funeral procession, the number of people who spoke out of love for him during the service and the thousands of tears shed, by hundreds of people, who attended the visitation and heart-wrenching funeral in Mauston, with burial back in Westby on Saturday.

Andy’s death left behind heartache and questions without answers, many of which may remain a mystery forever. Some people will speculate as to the cause of his untimely death, but in the end it won’t bring Andy back.

My point is that if life on earth really is our temporary home, then in our hearts we know that someday Andy and Myriah will be together again and the love they managed to sustain since sixth grade will be rekindled, and that Mackena, Brekk and Haakon will forever have a guardian angel, with a boyish grin sitting on their shoulders reminding them how much they are loved.