San Diego Tribune: SDPD funeral procession brings San Diego to standstill

San Diegans who travel on Interstate 8 encountered a closed freeway Friday morning as the city’s finest and their counterparts around the country honored a fallen officer.

Onlookers paid their respects as San Diego came to an emotional standstill. Gov. Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris attended the funeral as did an array of officers in uniform and others, including Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Along the procession route, flags were unfurled and hands were clasped in solidarity. Signs that read “Our hearts are with you” and “A true hero” and “God bless you” were held high. It was a somber yet uplifting display.

Scores of patrol cars and a hearse carrying the body of San Diego police officer Jonathan De Guzman traveled that usually busy route of so many San Diegans, from Qualcomm Stadium to Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon. It was there where a public memorial service was set to mourn the loss of De Guzman, a 16-year veteran officer gunned down on July 28. His partner was also shot but survived.

On Thursday, family and fellow officers from the San Diego area gathered for a funeral service attended by hundreds of people and later held their first of two memorials for De Guzman. Friday’s memorial was open to the public.

Interstate 8 connects many residents who live in the eastern part of the county to the center of San Diego. This map shows the route of the procession.

Read more at SDPD funeral procession brings San Diego to standstill. 

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