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Funeral for Pr. George’s officer killed during ambush of police drew thousands Funeral for Pr. George’s officer killed in ambush draws thousands
(about 7 hours later)
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. Even before the sun rose, officers donned their finest and made their way to the church in Prince George’s County. Arriving in cruisers with flashing lights, on rumbling motorcycles and on horseback, thousands of them stretched beneath the towering steeple to wait.
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. And when the flag-covered casket carrying the young detective arrived, the expanse of white-gloved officers uniformed in blue and gray and brown snapped to solemn attention.
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. Nearly two weeks after the death of Prince George’s police officer Jacai Colson, law enforcement members, elected officials and ordinary citizens descended on the First Baptist Church of Glenarden on Friday to pay their respects to a man they say sacrificed his life to protect his community and colleagues.
“Though his death was unfair and untimely it was not unwilling,” Pastor Keith Battle said in a prayer. “He loved his job and the people he swore to protect,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III. “It was that unintentional valor that allowed him to stand in the face of danger and not blink or waiver.”
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 shooting started by a man who police say plotted and carried out an ambush on officers outside a police station while his two younger brothers recorded it on video. Colson, an undercover narcotics detective who was off duty and wasn’t in uniform when he arrived at the scene, was fatally wounded by another officer responding to the shooting.
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. [‘Wait for me at the Pearly Gates. We’ll meet there together.’]
[Brothers filmed attack on police station that left officer dead, authorities say] Both laughter and anguish punctuated the two-hour ceremony, with officers from Chicago, the local Washington region and the East Coast filling the 4,000-seat sanctuary.
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. Capt. Stanley Johnson, acting chief of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police in Prince George’s, said he understood why officers from across the country attended.
Prince George’s County executive Rushern L. Baker III said Colson’s loss hurts, but reflects his “unintended and unintentional valor.” “It is the badge, it is the uniform,” Johnson said. “We are all one family. When one officer suffers, we all suffer.”
“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.” Colson is the 29th officer in Prince George’s to die in the line of duty. He would have celebrated his 29th birthday last week.
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. As Colson’s mother, father and brother approached his open casket to say one more goodbye, his mother threw back her head and sobbed. And as the lid closed, she stretched her arms toward her son and wept before someone stretched an American flag over the pewter-colored casket.
Like others, Hogan praised Colson’s bravery for defending the community against an active shooter. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), one of several elected officials who attended the service, 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 were killed recently in shootings.
[Community turns out for funeral of Prince William officer]
Like others, Hogan praised Colson’s bravery in 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.”“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.” Prince George’s Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski III has said that Colson drew fire toward himself the day of the gun battle, allowing other officers time to take position and stop the gunman.
Stawinski said it is love that leads officers like Colson into peril and it is that 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.”
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. All three are from Prince George’s.
John Teletchea, president of the county’s police union, called the day Colson died “one of the darkest days in the county.” The shooting at the police station was an “attack on our society and our way of life,” he added.
He urged the crowd to “reject divisive rhetoric” that may have emerged from Colson’s death.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.” A friend of Colson’s from high school echoed the sentiment.
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. “It is not all one style of lives matter,” Desai Langley said. “All lives matter.”
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. As the church filled, photos of Colson’s life flashed on large screens above a stage — images of him in Little League, a happy child at the beach, at graduation. 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.
Sheila Colson stood strong, flanked by her husband and son. Colson, who had been with the Prince George’s police department for four years, has been remembered as a dedicated detective who dreamed of working for the FBI or the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Her son, she told the audience, had been born three months early. [Brothers filmed attack on police station that left officer dead, authorities say]
On Friday, friends shared their favorite memories of Colson, chuckling as they recalled the jovial buddy who would sing around the house in boxers and dingy slippers or battle them in dance parties and cook-offs.
Colson’s family, wearing matching gray suits, later addressed the crowd. They recalled a loving son and brother and avid Philadelphia Eagles fan who they said they also will now be remembered as a hero.
Colson’s mother, Sheila Colson, stood strong behind the lectern, telling the audience how her son, born three months early, had a difficult start in life.
“He fought to get here,” his mother said, “and he fought going out.”“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. The service ended with the strain of bagpipes playing “Going Home” and “Amazing Grace.” Arm-in-arm and holding hands, the slain officer’s brother, mother and father followed the casket out of the church and to the hearse.
“Today we weep, but we do not give up,” Stawinski said. “Today we hope. Today we rise anew.” As friends, family and police officers poured from the sanctuary to comfort Colson’s mother, she offered comfort in return.
Law enforcement officers from New York, Chicago, Maryland, Virginia, the District and other cities across the nation came to pay their respects. “It is going to be okay,” she told them, her face wet with tears. “It was just his time.”
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. Justin Jouvenal contributed to this report.
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 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.’]
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.
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]
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.