A casket carries the remains of a bus driver, dubbed a "hero" for trying to protect schoolchildren from a gunman.<br/> <br />Charles Albert Poland Jr. was buried on Sunday (February 3), as the hostage stand-off in Alabama's Midland City continued for a sixth day.<br/> <br />The bus driver lost his life as a gunman abducted a child from his bus.<br/> <br />Suspect Jimmy Lee Dykes is believed to be holding the 5-year-old boy in an underground bunker.<br/> <br />Local officials were among the hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects.<br/> <br />Residents say the bus driver was well loved.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: ANTHONY HILL, R.O.T.C HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR FROM OZARK, ALABAMA, SAYING (English):<br/> <br />"He was just an outstanding person and cared about kids, and, ultimately gave his all to protect those kids."<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: EVELYN COLLIER, FROM NEWTON, ALABAMA, SAYING (English):<br/> <br />"He was a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) President one year: just a guy you can always call on and know he will be there to help you; loved working with the teachers and the kids, and you just learned to appreciate him so much there."<br/> <br />The FBI and other authorities are continuing negotiations with Dykes, in the hope he will surrender the child.
