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Lawrence native Bryce Dion of the reality TV series "Cops."

(Spike TV photo)

Spike TV will pay tribute on Saturday to "Cops" crewmember Bryce Dion of Lawrence, who died in friendly fire while filming an episode in Nebraska on Aug. 27.

Langley Productions and Spike TV will honor Dion with a special hour-long episode featuring some of his best work on Saturday at 8 p.m.

"Bryce had a passion for life and his work, and was always the first one to help anyone in need. He will best be remembered for a smile that never faded. All of us who knew him or worked with him on 'Cops,', as well as the many friends he made working on documentaries and other shows, mourn his passing," said Morgan and John Langley, executive producers of "Cops."

Dion, 38, had worked for Langley Productions for seven years and was recently promoted to audio supervisor for the long-running reality series.

At the time of his death, Dion was wearing a bulletproof vest during the filming of an attempted armed robbery at a fast food restaurant in Omaha. A single bullet that hit his arm slipped into a gap in the vest and went into his chest, according to police.

The suspect was armed with Airsoft handgun, which looked and sounded real but fires only plastic pellets.

Dion was the first crew member to die in the line of duty in the history of the 25-year-old show, according to producers.