A police officer is laid to rest.

The line extended from the door to half a block down the street. The visitation hours had begun. Uniformed police officers directed traffic as police cars, marked and unmarked, lined the street and started to fill the parking lots of the bowling alley across the street.

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Police officers from all over the city and surrounding departments got in line as they always do when one of their own has made the ultimate sacrifice and is being laid to rest.

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A thumping sound is heard over and over again along with quiet voices as officers greeted each other. (thump thump) "how you doing, brother?" (thump thump) "good to see you again." It repeated all along the line, in the lot, in the vestibule, and in the hallway. This is unique to police funerals. It is the sound of officers embracing and slapping each other's back. The thump is the sound body armor makes when it is struck during the embrace.

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Smartly uniformed Honor Guard members were placed along the path to the chapel. The voices grew quieter as the line neared the casket. Those that knew the officer exchanged brief words with the family members and the slain officers partner. Officers who came only to pay their respects uttered condolences and continued walking. Hundreds of officers payed homage to their fallen brother whether they knew him or not. A prayer session was held later that evening just before the wake ended. It was led by a police chaplain.

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The funeral service was held the following day. The street leading to the church was lined with officers in full dress uniforms. The parking lot was filled with officers, civilians, news media, and curious onlookers. Every conversation was hushed.

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The sound of bagpipes and muffled drums announced the arrival of the procession. They slowly marched to the front of the church and suddenly stood silent. A silence fell as the hearse approached the curb and stopped. The Honor Guard reverently lifted the flag draped casket as the order to "Present Arms" was heard. Local police officers as well as many from other states raised their white gloved right hand in salute. The salute was held as the honor guard entered the church. "Order Arms" The officers lowered the salute and stood proudly as the family then police brass and other dignitaries filed into the church. Loud speakers set up by the city allowed the crowd to hear the proceedings from outside.

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The procession to the burial site was led by a ten motorcycle escort, slowly moving along the planned route, all emergency lights flashing. The lead car of the honors escort followed the motorcycles. He kept the pace slow. He choked back tears as every intersection along the route was lined with officers. The route to the cemetery passed through small towns. It looked as if their whole police force along with the fire department lined the street in a sign of respect.

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Two fire trucks, with the tower ladders raised, formed an arch the procession would enter the cemetery gates through. The escort vehicles pulled aside and watched as brightly flashing lights marked the procession as far as the eye could see. Over 300 police vehicles passed into the entrance before the motorcycles leading the hearse approached. The escort detail saluted smartly as the slain officer passed on his way to his final place of rest.

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Only the family, the police upper echelon staff, and dignitaries could get close enough to hear the graveside ceremony.

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The honors escort detail formed a small motorcade and headed back to the station. Proud to have again done their solemn duty to take one of their own to rest with dignity and honor.