CERES -- Thousands of friends, family and fellow officers joined together Tuesday to bid a final farewell to the Ceres police sergeant who was killed last week by a Marine on a deadly rampage.
The community said goodbye to Sgt. Howard Stevenson, who was gunned down by Andres Raya outside a Ceres liquor store on Jan. 9.
More than 2,000 officers from all over the state attended Tuesday's memorial service, filling the sanctuary at Modesto's First Baptist Church.
"Law enforcement is unique because we are a family," said Manteca Police Department spokesman Rex Obsborn. "We may have never met each other before, but we are brothers and sisters. It's like having a member of your family die."
Stevenson was remembered as a man who gave all to protect his community.
"He died a hero, and he will live on in our memory," said Ceres Police Department chaplain the Rev. Joel Richards.
Ceres Police Chief Art De Werk gave the eulogy at Tuesday's memorial.
"Sgt. Stevenson's death is untimely, unfair, and by any human standard cannot be explained or justified," De Werk said. "We must not, however, allow the cowardly actions of a vicious criminal to repress the wonderful memories of Howie's life."
Stevenson is the first Ceres police officer to die in the line of duty. The 20-year veteran leaves behind a wife and three children.
Security was tight around the funeral service. There were bomb-sniffing dogs and officers on the roof of the church, but no problems were reported.
After the church service, hundreds followed the funeral procession from Modesto through Ceres to the burial site in Hughson. Law enforcement motorcycles rumbled through the streets, guiding the way for the fallen officer.
Area residents lined the streets to honor Stevenson. Some carried signs saying "Thank You Sgt. Stevenson."
Officers from as far as Idaho joined the funeral procession, joining ranks with their fellow officers to honor Stevenson.
Ironically, Stevenson and Raya are now buried in the same cemetery, just a short distance from each other.
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