Mourners filed into Greater Grace Temple Monday morning to honor fallen police officer Patrick Hill, who died this month after spending several months in a coma.
But at the request of Hill’s wife, Deodge, most of those paying their respects at the northwest Detroit church wore colors other than black, George Hunter reports in the Detroit News.
“She wanted it to be a celebration,” Detroit Police spokeswoman Kelly Miner said. “She doesn’t want there to be mourning.”
Hill, a father of four and a 12-year department veteran, died Oct. 19 after being hit by friendly fire on April 2 during a standoff with a murder suspect.
Police cars from agencies around Michigan could be seen outside the church for the funeral, including officers from Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Troy and Lansing.
Officer Jacob Liska, who attended the Police Academy with Hill in 2001, said Hill made a tough job easier with his sense of humor.
“There was always a smile on his face,” Liska said.
