WEST ST PAUL, Minn. — Four thousand members of law enforcement attended the funeral of fallen Mendota Heights police officer Scott Patrick. One thousand more loved ones packed St. Stephen's Lutheran Church where the services were held.
Officers came from as far away as Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, South Dakota to Superior, Wisconsin to right in the Twin Cities metro. A tent behind the church for visiting law enforcement was standing room only even before Patrick's funeral started.
"The family is overwhelmed by the show of support they've seen already and they've only seen a tenth of it," said Kevin Torgerson, commander of the Law Enforcement Memorial Association.
A brother-in-law of Officer Patrick's told KARE 11 they were not expecting a turnout like this and while it's overwhelming it's also much appreciated.
Inside the church, fellow officers remembered Patrick for his love for his family, and his dedication to being an officer.
"What Scott did the best was being himself. Scott would talk with people, listen to them, show his compassion and always offer up his best advice," said one colleague.
Patrick's brother Mike Brue said Scott knew his law enforcement brothers and sisters, as well as the community, would offer up support to his family if anything were to happen to him.
"We can see here and beyond these walls of the church that that support is vast," Brue said.
An eight-mile procession to Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights followed. Law enforcement officers left the church first, followed 20 to 30 minutes later by Mendota Heights officers, Patrick's family and the hearse. Crowds lined every inch of the route. People saluted as cars passed in silence with lights flashing.
"I am 83 but said, 'you can afford to walk down there for this,' so here I am," said Joan Wilhelme, of Mendota Heights.
Jason Serbesku held vigil over the memorial on the site where Officer Patrick was killed. He said it was the least he could do for the officer who saved his life with a speeding ticket. Serbesky said he's struggling with a serious illness and was on a wayward path when Patrick stopped him.
"When he pulled me over, he kind of talked to me for a while because I was upset from the hospital, and he talked to me like we were best friends -- just a genuine guy," said Serbesku. "He made an impact in my life in a huge way made me realize we should treasure every single day of our life."
Hundreds of people like Serbesky found meaning when they could have focused on misfortune.
"I look at it in a different way," said Carol Frenger, a West St. Paul woman who had never met Officer Patrick. "I look at all the different people coming together for this man. Half these probably probably have never seen him but they out here paying respect. He puts his life on the line for us. There is tragedy all around, but if the community gets together we can pull through this."
Officer Patrick was brought into the cemetery in horse drawn carriage. Crowds were touched when Patrick's wife and daughters waved out of the limousine following his hearse. One daughter made a symbol of love with her hands towards the crowd. His fellow officers called his number over the police scanners one last time.
"Officer Scott Patrick 2231 is out of service. End of watch, July 30 2014," said the dispatcher.
Officer Patrick is at peace but to Mendota Heights and all he touched, heroism will never rest.
