The news last week was mostly sad -- or at least serious. A very public funeral, a horrific car crash and yet another dispute involving the Fresno Metropolitan Museum were among the events that drew the most attention.

Here are the top stories of the past week, along with selected comments posted by readers on fresnobee.com.

Deputy laid to rest

What happened: Thousands turned out for the funeral of Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier, one of two law enforcement officers killed in a Feb. 25 shootout with a Minkler man. Friends and family and colleagues remembered “Wally” as a committed deputy and a good man.

What it means: The grieving isn’t over. A second funeral is scheduled for Monday to mark the death of Reedley police officer Javier Bejar.

What readers said:

“Such a tragedy -- for all of us. My thanks go out to all law enforcement agencies and their families for what they do every day.” -- daisydeb

“RIP Joel Wahlenmaier and Javier Bejar.” -- dmandyjgemini

Three kids killed

What happened: Aref Kareem Mohamed of Firebaugh was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance after crashing his van head-on into another vehicle, killing three of his children.

What it means: The deaths of Ahmaed and Gahassan Mohamed, 6, and their 3-year-old sister, Fatima Mohamed, left residents of the small farm town in shock.

What readers said:

“I think that people that drink and drive should be made to work at a morgue, so they can see the reality of what they cause.” -- belcha1

“There is absolutely no excuse for this sort of gross mistake and its resulting tragedy. Locking the fellow up forever, however, will not cure anyone else of alcoholism, bad judgment, or other personal issues that cause these so-terrible-and-preventable tragedies.” -- janbalcom

Students rally

What happened: Students, joined by staff and faculty members, rallied on Thursday against cuts in public education from high school to state universities. Some at Fresno State said student activism has reached a level not seen in decades.

What it means: The rallies, carried out across the state and nation, put further pressure on legislators to find other places to cut spending. Fees at Fresno State, for example, rose 32% this year alone.

What readers said:

“Education is a privilege -- not a right. Earn it. Work for it.” -- rstolling

“These students are doing something that is focused and organized: they are voicing their opinions and dismay. Good for them!” -- fleaforjustice

Principal removed

What happened: Catholic diocesan officials have removed the popular principal of St. Helen’s Catholic School in Fresno -- won’t say why.

What it means: Some parents believe the ouster is the result of Toni Amodio’s support of Robin McGehee, a lesbian and former parent-teacher group leader.

What readers said:

“It is sad to see all of the hard work that a great person has done in the last fifteen years demolished.” -- TurionX2

“Catholic School is not a democracy. If you do not like the way a school is run, pull your kids out and go someplace else.” -- lwilbourn

Museum sued

What happened: The son of Ansel Adams has sued to prevent six of the famed nature photographer’s prints from being auctioned off by the Fresno Metropolitan Museum.

What it means: The suit creates yet another headache for leaders of the Met, who have closed the museum and are auctioning its property and art holdings to satisfy creditors.

What readers said: “All art should be passed on to another museum but then the Met leaders would look respectable.” -- bill93728

“Perhaps an agreement could be reached wherein the art auction would only be open to other museums, thus paying down Met debt while assuring donors that the art remained available to the public AS INTENDED.” -- mlerwill

Twist of the week

What happened: Organizers announced Friday that a traveling extravaganza combining “Star Wars” imagery and music from a live orchestra will visit Fresno for the first time.

What readers said:

“Nerds all around the San Joaquin Valley rejoice!!” -- ddwmartin