A Kansas man who was among 30 U.S. soldiers who died when a helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan will be laid to rest Friday.

Services for Army helicopter pilot Bryan Nichols will be held at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in Hays, where Nichols graduated in 1998. The 31-year-old Nichols died when the Chinook chopper was shot down Aug. 6.

The Hays Daily News reports that his body was returned to the city Wednesday and people lined roads across the city for the four-mile drive from the airport to a mortuary.

Gov. Sam Brownback ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Friday in Nichols’ honor.

The Kansas Patriot Guard will act as escorts during Friday’s funeral services, which will begin at 10 a.m. at Al Billinger Fieldhouse.