Stranger plays taps outside Columbus police department for fallen officer

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As Columbus police were mourning the loss of one of their own, officers inside the headquarters witnessed a touching moment.

Detective Howe and several others said they heard a beautiful sound and looked outside where they spotted a man playing Taps in front of the building to honor fallen Columbus Police SWAT Officer Steve M. Smith.

Officer Smith was shot last week while trying to serve an arrest warning. He later died from his wounds. 

Officers recorded the man playing Taps after getting out of his vehicle, saluting, and then returning to his car and driving off. "Thank you sir for playing Taps and honoring Officer Smith," the department wrote on its Facebook page. "It was simply awesome."

Officer Smith will be laid to rest on Tuesday. He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, and two adult children. He was 54-years-old.