A McAlester police officer has died after a head-on collision that occurred during a funeral for a fellow officer.

According to McAlester police, Patrolman Joseph Barlow succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

Barlow died Monday surrounded by family, friends and local law enforcement officers, MPD said.

Barlow was hit head-on while taking part in a funeral procession for Captain Richard Parker. The crash happened near Glenpool on Friday as the procession was traveling from Tulsa to Wetumka.

His family released a statement the day after the crash expressing gratitude toward everyone involved in the response to the crash.

“We have received an outpouring of love, support and prayers which we are grateful.” The family said. “As a family we have been overwhelmed with all the support. Our family has needed these thoughts and prayers.”

“Our family would like to express our thanks to the Glenpool Police Department, the Glenpool Fire Department, The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and EMSA for their quick response to this tragic collision. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to all the staff at St. John Medical Center for their care that they have provided to Officer Barlow. We would also like to express our gratitude to all the law enforcement agencies who came to our aide and provided various services, there are just too numerous to mention.”

Barlow served in the United States Army before becoming a police officer.