San Antonio pauses to honor the service and life of slain SAPD officer Miguel Moreno

The casket carrying Officer Miguel Moreno III, who was killed in the line of duty, is brought in a horse-drawn carriage during the funeral procession at the Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas on July 7, 2017. His class and shift mates stood followed behind him. less The casket carrying Officer Miguel Moreno III, who was killed in the line of duty, is brought in a horse-drawn carriage during the funeral procession at the Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas on July ... more Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 87 Caption Close San Antonio pauses to honor the service and life of slain SAPD officer Miguel Moreno 1 / 87 Back to Gallery

During a two-hour funeral service Friday morning, friends and family honored slain police officer Miguel Moreno, a nine-year veteran of the police force who loved to fish, travel and ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The public service, at times religious, included impassioned remarks from Gov. Greg Abbott and an emotional tribute from Moreno's brother, Arturo.

"This was the hardest week of my life," said Arturo Moreno, who is also an SAPD officer. "For me and my family, I just want to thank the community and my fellow officers for their condolences."

SAPD Chief William McManus and Mayor Ron Nirenberg also spoke at the service, which falls on the anniversary of the Dallas shooting that left five police officers dead in an ambush attack by a heavily armed gunman.

"No words can heal the pain and ease the hurt we all feel," McManus said. "Nothing will make us feel better except faith and time. Life goes on. But if does not go on the same way for officer Moreno's family or friends, or the San Antonio Police Department."

RELATED: 'Last night, there was no laughing': SAPD officer describes grim mood at roll call after shooting

The day's commemorations began with a procession from the Alamodome. Officials estimate that about 600 officers took part in the motorcade for Moreno, who was killed in a shootout north of downtown last week.

In a news release ahead of the Moreno service, Abbott issued a statewide call "to stand with law enforcement in Texas." At 10 a.m. Friday, Abbott asked that all law enforcement officers turn on their red and blue lights for one minute.

Seven-year-old Matthew Madrano stood alongside Cherry Street watching the procession depart. He held a black and white American flag with a blue stripe across the middle, a flag designed to commemorate law enforcement.

As the patrol cars turned onto Cherry Street, Matthew waved the flag, smiling and waving to the officers. One officer came up to say hello and shake his hand.

Matthew, who was accompanied by his grandparents, said he attended the procession "to support the police."

Mark Martinez, whose childhood friend and SAPD officer Oscar Perez was killed in the line of duty in 2000, also stood along Cherry Street, watching the procession depart. He said anytime a law enforcement officer is killed, it brings back memories of the friend he'd known since kindergarten.

"It's just ridiculous that it happened again," Martinez said. "It was just an officer doing his job and some idiot killed him. It was a senseless killing."

"These guys need our support," Martinez added. "They get a bad rap, but they're just trying to do their jobs."

RELATED: Back the Blue March honors fallen San Antonio officer

From the Alamodome, the procession traveled north on U.S. 281 to Loop 1604, where officials took the Redland Road exit and arrived at the Community Bible Church.

The procession included officers from agencies throughout Texas, including Austin, New Braunfels, Houston and El Paso — a reminder of the thin blue line that exists in the law enforcement community.

A separate motorcade including Moreno's family, his cadet class and his shift mates followed the first procession after departing from Porter Loring Mortuary.

Supporters gathered over several overpasses to watch the procession. Detective Alfred Cruz, a 15-year veteran, held open a black flag with a blue line as he stood alongside roughly 30 of his colleagues on the Stadium Drive overpass.

On the day of the shooting, Cruz said he had seen both Moreno and his partner, officer Julio Cavazos, at roll call, a casual moment as officers begin their shifts, while he was walking out of the police station. Cavazos survived a shot to the chin that became lodged in his chest.

Moreno was shot and killed near San Antonio College June 29 while approaching two men while on patrol. He died the following day.

Moreno was with Officer Julio Cavazos, who survived a gunshot wound to the chest and was released from the hospital Tuesday.

"They were joking around and having fun, everyone was laughing maybe an hour before the shooting," Cruz said. "Then an hour later, I hear that they were shot. It's just really surreal, to know that's a reality."

RELATED: San Antonio pays tribute to firefighter Scott Deem, who was killed in Northwest Side blaze

Cruz said he graduated from Lanier High School sometime before Moreno. Their Voks pride was another bonding point, in addition to being officers.

Seeing the procession of police vehicles from numerous law enforcement agencies moved Cruz, who appeared somber as he spoke.

It's the second time in a little over a month that he's been at the overpass. He was there when firefighter Scott Deem's procession passed through on May 26.

"It just kind of makes you realize the reality of the job, just how life can be cut short so soon," Cruz said. "Something like this is very profound, for us at least."

Moreno, 32, was shot and killed near the Tobin Lofts apartments on East Evergreen Street and Main Avenue on June 29 after approaching two men while on directed patrol. He died the following day.

Moreno is survived by his parents, three sisters and a brother.

Moreno was accompanied by Cavazos, who was critically injured in the shootout. Cavazos, 36, was released from the hospital Tuesday and attended the service.

Police identified the suspect in the slaying as Andrew Bice, who ran from the scene and fatally shot himself in the head.

Friday's service marked the second time in 45 days that San Antonio paused to honor the life and service of one of its fallen first responders.

San Antonio firefighter Scott Deem was killed in a fire on May 18 and he was laid to rest on Friday, May 26.

The Catholic Mass culminated with the ringing of the bell and the sounding of the final alarm, a time-honored firefighting tradition. The call was broadcast over the radio system for all of Deem's brothers to hear.

"This is the final alarm for Scott Patrick Deem," the dispatcher said. "He faithfully served the city of San Antonio for six years. ... Although you are gone, you will never be forgotten. Rest in power, Scott."

It's the deadliest period of time for civil servants in the city of San Antonio since 1989, when three police officers and one firefighter were killed in the span of seven months.

eeaton@express-news.net

Twitter: @emilieeaton

Staff Writers Jacob Beltran and Sergio Martínez-Beltrán contributed to this report.