The hostage standoff enters its sixth day in Midland City, Alabama, as the community prepares to bury the bus driver killed by the suspected gunman.

The suspect, Jimmy Lee Dykes, fatally shot school bus driver Charles Albert Poland Jr., on Tuesday before abducting a 5-year old boy from the bus and holding him in an underground bunker.

Sheriff Wally Olson thanked Dykes for "taking care of our child" on Saturday -- allowing police to send medicine and toys to the child captive. On Sunday, he called on people to allow the family of the slain bus driver to mourn their loss.

SOUNDBITE) (English) WALLY OLSON, DALE COUNTY SHERIFF, SAYING:

"Today is going to be a tough day for our family. And please, give them the peace to be able to do what they need to do in their time of mourning."

A law enforcement official, who asked not to be identified, says he believes Dykes has access to local news, which is why negotiations with the Vietnam war veteran remain shrouded in secrecy.