ST. JOHN, Ind. (WLS) — A Northwest Indiana community is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own.

St. John Police Detective Aaron Amptmeyer died after a medical emergency while playing hockey in a men’s league Friday night, officials said.

Loved ones are remembering Amptmeyer as a devoted father, a decorated officer and a hero.

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“He’s just bigger than life,” said Carole Vrshek, Amptmeyer’s aunt and Godmother. “Really big, funny guy.”

Outside the St. John Police Department, a growing memorial honors Detective Amptmeyer. His squad car was surrounded by flowers, notes, and hockey sticks and jerseys, reminders of the man who served several Northwest Indiana communities.

His aunt and uncle Carole and Terry Vrshek were among those showing up to feel the support for their nephew on Sunday.

“He’s a great athlete, good hockey player, very passionate and very dedicated to whatever he was doing,” said Terry Vrshek.

Amptmeyer started his law enforcement career in Gary in 2005, later serving in Dyer before joining St. John in 2018 and was commander of the Northwest Regional SWAT Team.

From the time he was a rookie, he’s been saving lives. Vanessa Breese says Amptmeyer was the first to respond when her husband, a fellow Gary Police Officer, was having a heart attack.

“Amptmeyer found him, yanked the door open, grabbed him by the belt and the collar, threw him in his car, and took him to the ER where he was in the hospital for seven days and had to retire after that, but yeah, it saved his life,” Breese said.

Friends, family and fellow officers are paying tribute to the man behind the badge, the lives he touched and those he leaves behind, including a young daughter.

“She was the apple of his eye,” Terry Vrshek said. “That’s what he lived for. He lived for her.”

“He just loved his daughter,” Carole Vrshek said. “Whenever he could be with her, he wanted to be with her. She followed him around. I think she kind of idolized him as well.

Family members told ABC7 services for Officer Amptmeyer are planned for next week.