DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Officer Edgar Flores paid the ultimate price when he was shot and killed in the line of duty. Today, the community honored his sacrifice, one day after he would have turned 25.
The first of two funerals for the fallen officer was held Tuesday at All Saints Church in Dunwoody.
Channel 2's Sophia Choi attended the funeral, where the DeKalb police chief, Flores fellow officers and his family all paid tribute.
"He was an amazing brother, son, boyfriend, role model, friend and most importantly, a police officer," his brother Alexis Flores said. "He fought for what he believed in. He fought for equality. Unfortunately in that fight, he lost his life."
[RELATED: Law enforcement escorts fallen DeKalb County officer on his final trip home]
Police Chief James Conroy present the Flores family with the Medal of Honor, the highest award given to an officer.
Conroy said the show of support from law enforcement all over the country is helping them cope with the tragic loss.
“The community support, the folks lining the roadways for the procession to come in here. And the law enforcement community - there’s no other community like that. We are a family. We’ve got honor guards here from as far away as Dallas, Boston. Chicago is here, and Chicago tragically lost two last night in an incident. Yet here they are to support us,” Conroy said.
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Flores was only on the force for a year and half before investigators said 33-year-old Brandon Taylor shot and killed Flores during a traffic stop last week.
A K-9 named Indi was also shot during the stop and attended the funeral with his handler to pay respects. It was a touching moment that brought everyone to their feet as Indi walked down to Flores casket.
Flores would have turned 25 years old on Dec. 17. He was engaged to be married and is being remembered as a hero.
"I think I’m handling the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I will do it. I will get through this because Flores would have done it for me or any one of us in this room," said Officer Justin Hamilton, who stood on stage with members of their police academy class.
Fellow DeKalb Officers Remember Officer Edgar Flores"Officer Flores: Well done. We've got it from here." Officer Hamilton and the three officers who graduated from the police academy with Officer Flores gave a heartbreaking eulogy on how they will carry on his legacy. https://2wsb.tv/2PMsBXE
Posted by WSB-TV on Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Before and after the service, hundreds of people lined the highways and interstates as the procession traveled through DeKalb County.
"We wanted to come out and show our support for DeKalb County Police, We're certainly thinking about the officer's family and friends during this difficult time," Chris Green told Channel 2's Audrey Washington.
A second service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Flowery Branch. Fellow officers have set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses.
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