GOUVERNEUR — Footsteps echoed through St. James Church as hundreds of state troopers, sheriff's deputies and members of other police agencies said goodbye Thursday to one of their own.

Hats held over their hearts and with a black bar across their badges, more than 400 officers walked past the casket holding Trooper Shawn W. Snow, who was killed Sunday while helping a Canadian firefighter change a flat tire on an antique firetruck on the approach to the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge.

Both men were electrocuted when the truck's ladder touched a live wire.

The church, its pews filled with state police officials, politicians, police chiefs, Sheriff Kevin M. Wells, and the family and friends of Trooper Snow, was too small for all of the mourners, so most of the police officers stayed outside during the funeral. With traffic detoured around Main Street, they stood at attention across from the church while Trooper Snow's casket was loaded into a hearse and driven to Hermon Cemetery for burial.

"They're not coming because they have to. They're not coming because it's tradition," said State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt, who conveyed condolences from Gov. David A. Paterson. "They're coming because they respect the man."

Most of the memories of Trooper Snow shared at the service were of his devotion to others.

"We all know Shawn was a giver," said his sister-in-law Kimberly Ayen-Stowell. "How ironic his life would end while doing a good deed."

A truck driver sent the family a letter remembering the man who ticketed him for major violations on Valentine's Day but allowed him to spend the holiday with his wife in Syracuse after he promised to mend his ways. When Trooper Snow rechecked his rig months later, passing it without reservation, the driver told him how his life had improved. Trooper Snow responded, "What goes around comes around," Mrs. Ayen-Stowell related.

Trooper Snow was the kind of officer who wanted to help people rather than punish them.

Superintendent Corbitt recalled one story when Trooper Snow and his partner responded to an incident in which a drunken husband had held his equally intoxicated wife's head down in hot dishwater.

By the time Trooper Snow's partner was done talking to the wife, he was ready to charge the husband with attempted murder. In the other room, Trooper Snow had his arm around the man, persuading him to go to alcohol rehabilitation. The charge ended up being third-degree assault, a far cry from attempted murder.

"When we talk about what Shawn has done in the community, it's significant," Mr. Corbitt said. "His work epitomized what we call service."

The Rev. Stephen R. Rocker, pastor of St. James, consoled the mourners.

"Our lives are not our own. We are the Lord's," he said. "Even our life is a gift. The only response to a gift is to give thanks. Those of you who knew Shawn miss him deeply. We pray for you and all who mourn."

A reception, courtesy of the Police Benevolent Association, was held under tents at Riverview Park on Route 58. Superintendent Corbitt assured the family that the support by Trooper Snow's fellow officers wouldn't end with the funeral.

"Anything we can do to make your road easy, we will certainly do that," he said.