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Funeral for Pr. George’s officer killed during ambush of police draws thousands Funeral for Pr. George’s officer killed during ambush of police drew thousands
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of law enforcement officers, officials and ordinary citizens gathered Friday morning for the funeral of Prince George’s officer Jacai Colson, who died during an ambush on police earlier this month. Thousands of law enforcement officers, officials and ordinary citizens gathered Friday for the funeral of Prince George’s officer Jacai Colson, who died during an ambush on police earlier this month.
A joyful gospel choir clapping and swaying greeted attendees as they filled nearly every chair in the 4,000-seat First Baptist Church of Glenarden, just before services began at 11 a.m.A joyful gospel choir clapping and swaying greeted attendees as they filled nearly every chair in the 4,000-seat First Baptist Church of Glenarden, just before services began at 11 a.m.
Photos of Colson’s life flashed on large screens above the stage -- images of him in Little League, a happy child at the beach, at graduation.Photos of Colson’s life flashed on large screens above the stage -- images of him in Little League, a happy child at the beach, at graduation.
“Though his death was unfair and untimely it was not unwilling,” Pastor Keith Battle said in a prayer.“Though his death was unfair and untimely it was not unwilling,” Pastor Keith Battle said in a prayer.
Colson, 28, was killed in a March 13 shootout started by a man who police say plotted and carried out an attack on officers outside a police station while his two younger brothers recorded the gun battle on video. Colson, an undercover narcotics detective who wasn’t in uniform when he arrived at the scene, was fatally wounded by friendly fire from another officer.Colson, 28, was killed in a March 13 shootout started by a man who police say plotted and carried out an attack on officers outside a police station while his two younger brothers recorded the gun battle on video. Colson, an undercover narcotics detective who wasn’t in uniform when he arrived at the scene, was fatally wounded by friendly fire from another officer.
Colson is the 29th Prince George’s police officer to die in the line of duty. His birthday was last week; he would have turned 29.
[Brothers filmed attack on police station that left officer dead, authorities say][Brothers filmed attack on police station that left officer dead, authorities say]
He is the 29th Prince George’s police officer to die in the line of duty. Colson’s birthday was last week; he would have turned 29. Several dignitaries, colleagues and friends spoke over the course of the two-hour service, remembering him as a hero who stepped into the line of fire to protect fellow officers and the community.
After Battle’s prayer, Colson’s family approached the officer for a final goodbye. His mother, Sheila Colson, threw her head back and sobbed before the lid of the pewter casket closed and an American flag was draped over it. Prince George’s County executive Rushern L. Baker III said Colson’s loss hurts, but reflects his “unintended and unintentional valor.”
“He loved his job and the people he swore to protect,” Baker said. “It was that unintentional valor that allowed him to stand in the face of danger and not blink or waver.”
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan lamented that this was the third time in recent weeks the region has had to gather for the funeral of an officer who died in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers in Virginia’s Prince William County and Maryland’s Harford County have died recently in shootings.
Like others, Hogan praised Colson’s bravery for defending the community against an active shooter.
“His spirit is the same spirit of compassion that guides each and everyone in uniform,” Hogan said. “He will forever be remembered as a true hero.”
County police union president John Teletchea called the day Colson died “one of the darkest days in Prince George’s County.” The shooting at the police station was an “attack on our society and our way of life.”
He urged the crowd to “reject divisive rhetoric” that may have emerged from Colson’s death.
Colson’s friends from high school echoed the sentiment. “It is not all one style of lives matter,” said Desai Langley, one friend. “All lives matter.”
The service also had levity, as friends shared favorite memories of Colson. They chuckled remembering the jovial buddy who would sing around the house in boxers and dingy slippers or loved dance parties and cook offs with housemates.
Colson’s family, wearing matching gray suits, also addressed the crowd, recalling a loving son and brother and avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. They, too, said they will now remember him as a hero.
Sheila Colson stood strong, flanked by her husband and son.
Her son, she told the audience, had been born three months early.
“He fought to get here,” his mother said, “and he fought going out.”
Prince George’s Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski III said it is love that leads officers like Colson into peril and it is also love that could lead to their ends. But he concluded his remarks on a hopeful note.
“Today we weep, but we do not give up,” Stawinski said. “Today we hope. Today we rise anew.”
Law enforcement officers from New York, Chicago, Maryland, Virginia, the District and other cities across the nation came to pay their respects.Law enforcement officers from New York, Chicago, Maryland, Virginia, the District and other cities across the nation came to pay their respects.
At a viewing for the officer Thursday, James Colson called his son a hero and a role model for other young men and women.
“Ever since he was born, he’s never been any trouble to us,” James Colson said. “He’s a young man that any parent would be proud of.”
Outside the church, Prince George’s County Council member Andrea Harrison commended Colson’s bravery.
“He came upon a situation and he just went right in” to protect the community and his fellow officers, Harrison said.
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said the community has been “trying to come to grips with the senseless violence” that sparked Colson’s death.
Colson was named after the Jacui River in Brazil, according to his funeral program -- a name meaning “smooth flowing” -- which friends and family say he fully embraced.
The event began shortly before 8:20 a.m., when a hearse arrived at the church carrying Colson’s body. Lines of officers in white gloves and dress uniforms solemnly stood at attention.The event began shortly before 8:20 a.m., when a hearse arrived at the church carrying Colson’s body. Lines of officers in white gloves and dress uniforms solemnly stood at attention.
Prince George’s Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski III silently saluted Colson as six officers removed the flag draped casket from the back of the hearse. Stawinski III silently saluted Colson as six officers removed the flag draped casket from the back of the hearse.
Around 9 a.m., Colson’s family and friends arrived in a caravan to the sounds of drums and bagpipes. Under the cloudy blue sky, Stawinski embraced Colson’s parents before stepping into the church with them for a viewing that proceeded the funeral. Around 9 a.m., Colson’s family and friends arrived in a caravan to the sounds of drums and bagpipes. Under the cloudy blue sky, Stawinski III embraced Colson’s parents before stepping into the church with them.
Shortly after the funeral began, Colson’s family approached the officer for a final goodbye. His mother threw her head back and sobbed before the lid of the pewter casket closed and an American flag was draped over it.
The service ended with the strain of a bagpipe. Colson’s colleagues lifted his flag-covered casket out of the church. Arm-in-arm and holding hands, his brother, mother and father followed.
[‘Wait for me at the Pearly Gates. We’ll meet there together.’][‘Wait for me at the Pearly Gates. We’ll meet there together.’]
A native of the Philadelphia area, Colson graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia before following his grandfather’s footsteps and becoming a police officer.A native of the Philadelphia area, Colson graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia before following his grandfather’s footsteps and becoming a police officer.
Colson, a four-year veteran of the Prince George’s police department, has been remembered as a dedicated detective who dreamed of working for the FBI or the Drug Enforcement Administration.Colson, a four-year veteran of the Prince George’s police department, has been remembered as a dedicated detective who dreamed of working for the FBI or the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Michael Ford, 22, has been charged with second-degree murder and more than 20 other counts in connection with the case. Police say he recorded his last will and testament before launching the gunfight with officers. Two of Ford’s younger brothers — Malik Ford, 21, and Elijah Ford, 18 — have also been charged. The funeral was the second time this month that law enforcement in the region honored one of their own.Michael Ford, 22, has been charged with second-degree murder and more than 20 other counts in connection with the case. Police say he recorded his last will and testament before launching the gunfight with officers. Two of Ford’s younger brothers — Malik Ford, 21, and Elijah Ford, 18 — have also been charged. The funeral was the second time this month that law enforcement in the region honored one of their own.
[Community turns out for funeral of Prince William officer][Community turns out for funeral of Prince William officer]
Thousands attended the March 1 services of Prince William County officer Ashley Guindon, who died answering a domestic violence call on the day after she was sworn in as an officer.Thousands attended the March 1 services of Prince William County officer Ashley Guindon, who died answering a domestic violence call on the day after she was sworn in as an officer.