MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Before and after the funeral service for fallen Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney, well-wishers from across the Mid-South said goodbye.
They paid their respects to his sacrifice and serving and protecting his fellow Memphians.
Hundreds of people showed up to Hope Church and Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery to say their goodbyes to McKinney.
Friends, family members, law enforcement and community members all came out to honor the life of Officer McKinney. Some like Leslie Taylor, Executive Director of Memphis Crime Beat, even wore blue in support of the fallen officer.
"It was a heinous crime. An avoidable crime. And the blue represents solidarity, both with the family, with MPD, with each other. There's a lot of symbolism,” said Taylor.
His funeral service was at Hope Church on Monday, April 22. The service was followed by his final ride and burial at Memorial Park.
Taylor said she's saddened and heartbroken by McKinney's line of duty death.
"The officers told us about seeing their fellow officer fatally injured on the ground, and how can you have a response to that? It's so awful,” said Taylor.
That's why many people who didn't know the officer personally, like Dana Wiley, still wanted to show up here to thank him.
"This shouldn't happen. They're out there to help us,” said Wiley.
While Memphians like Norman Blake said the officer's life was taken too soon, they also hope McKinney’s death will be a driving force for change.
"We want to make sure something changes with public safety,” said Blake.
Officer Joseph McKinney was just 26 years old. He leaves behind his fiancée and four-year-old daughter.