Thousands pay respect as Officer Sonny Kim is laid to rest
Kim laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Police officers from across the country turned out for a slain Cincinnati officer's funeral, where city officials, family and colleagues spoke of his devotion to duty, and love for his family and his city.
Officer Sonny Kim, who was killed in the line of duty, was laid to rest Friday.
Greater Cincinnati says goodbye to a hero
Kim, 48, was fatally shot by a suspect last week in Madisonville.
Timeline of events l Watch Officer Kim funeral service | Video: Funeral procession arrives at Gates of Heaven Cemetery
Thousands gathered at the Cintas Center on Friday to show their support for Kim.
Photos from the service l Watch this story
The words "hero" and "role model" were commonly heard as the police family came together.
Former Cincinnati Chief James Craig came down from Detroit with seven of his officers to pay his respects.
Craig lived in Kim's district during his time in Cincinnati and said he regarded Kim as one of the officers who protected him and his property.
"He is my hero and so I certainly would not have missed this for anything," Craig said. "They're our brothers, Cincinnati Police Department is my family, like the Detroit Police Department, so coming home like this to celebrate the life of a hero is important."
Previous story & coverage: Cincinnati police officer shot, killed in line of duty
The city's mayor told Kim's three sons that the love in the room reaffirms the way their father lived and the sacrifice he made in the name of public safety.
"Timothy, Joshua and Jacob, please know that your dad was the good guy, the hero of this city," Mayor John Cranley said.
As for policing, his brother, Mickey, said Kim had tunnel vision about it from an early age.
"He was so proud to wear that uniform. He was so proud to be a part of that fraternity," Mickey Kim said.
Kalin Strawther, 14, is a part of it. His mother and father are both police officers.
This day has been hard on him, too, because his dad knew Kim.
"It makes me feel sad that he's sad about this," Strawther said.
Residents from neighborhoods, including Evanston, Norwood, Pleasant Ridge, Silverton, Sycamore Township and Symmes Township lined the 16-mile funeral procession route from the Cintas Center to Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
"We took our lunch time to come out and pay our respect to Sonny Kim. I'm glad to see everyone out to support him,바카라 게임 웹사이트 Lindsey Pfaller, of Colerain Township, said.
Some people held signs thanking Kim. Many waved the American flag as the hearse carrying his body passed by.
Laura Ferguson, of Norwood, brought her nieces and nephew to watch the procession.
"We take for granted that we have men and women that are willing to put their lives on the line every day, every day for us. I just think it's important for us to say thank you," Ferguson said.
Craig reminded media about the dramatic spike in line of duty deaths in the past year.
It might have also been on the mind of Sgt. Kara Graves as she referenced her teenage son.
"He never ever leaves home without saying goodbye, and giving me a hug and a kiss,바카라 게임 웹사이트 Graves said.
The funeral procession -- hundreds of cars in length -- moved past the crossed ladders of Cincinnati firefighters who hung two flags at the entryway to Cintas, Old Glory and the Flag of the Fallen Officer.
For the family, it was a moment of honor at a time of sorrow.
The insightful words of Mickey Kim seemed to echo in the afternoon air about what made him so exemplary, not just as an officer but as a citizen.
"He was a man about character," he said. "Your race, creed or color had absolutely nothing to do with the way he sized you up."
Forty summers ago, Sonny Kim was an 8-year-old kid, a product of a South Korean family who had arrived in America, nation of immigrants.
A friend recalled how he developed a fondness for the city, had tunnel vision about becoming a police officer and was "bull headed" about returning to Cincinnati after a brief relocation to Chicago.
Last Friday, Sonny Kim's life was taken but his legacy was on full display Friday.
Pastor Phil Posthuma, in his closing prayer, encouraged everyone to take the lessons of Kim's life and apply them to their own lives.
"While everyone ultimately dies, not everyone truly lives," Posthuma said.
Earlier in the week, Cranley asked people to wear something blue Friday to honor Kim.
Mourners hold vigil for Officer Sonny Kim in Loveland
A page was established for Kim's three teenage sons. More than $160,000 has been raised. The Norwood Police Department donated a $5,000 check to Kim's family Monday night.
University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono tweeted Monday that the university would provide scholarships to Kim's son, should they choose to attend.
Besides his sons Joshua and Jacob, Kim is survived by his wife.