ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The boy Officer Michael Langsdorf helped save 16 years ago attended his funeral Monday and got to meet his family.
"It was beautiful,” KeAndre Colenburg said.
KeAndre and his dad, Keith, didn't know the officer, but they did meet him once, 16 years ago.
"He saved my son and my family so I wanted to be there for him and his family,” Keith Colenburg said.
A 2003 St. Louis Post-Dispatch photo captured the moment after rookie Officer Langsdorf caught baby KeAndre. His dad Keith had just dropped him from the roof of their burning home.
Keith and KeAndre attended the visitation and the funeral, meeting the officer's children, his fiance and his parents.
"They told us they had the picture, the original picture, hanging in their house this whole time. And his mom was like 'I see you every day, so it's crazy to actually meet you,'" KeAndre said.
The Colenburgs saved that picture too, two copies of the Post-Dispatch published the day after the fire.
Both families held onto a moment they never expected to be so precious.
"Just hurt under these circumstances it's how we had to meet each other, but at the same time we can be happy that we can be family as well,” Keith said.
"You know, like Thanksgiving or Chirstmas, you go to your mom's house with all your family, that's how it felt,” KeAndre said.
A new connection discovered only after loss.
"I feel like now is more of a bond than ever,” Keith said.
The Colenburgs say they plan to hang a photo of Officer Langsdorf and his family in their home since KeAndre's picture has been in the Langsdorf's home all this time.