Thousands pack church, line procession route to honor fallen UCCS officer

A University of Colorado Police Officer who died in the Planned Parenthood shooting was remembered on Friday.

Officer Garrett Swasey was remembered as a loving father, husband, ice dancer, police officer and protector.

Mourners described Swasey as someone who would catch you when you fall and put his life on the line to save others.

Officers with law enforcement agencies across the country turned out to pay their respects.

Swasey’s funeral included emotional speeches from Governor John Hickenlooper, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers and those who knew him best.

We have posted the funeral in eight, 15 minute clips. Click here.

“I am proud to say my name is Rachel Swasey. My husband gave me the immeasurably precious gift of his last name,” said his wife Rachel. “For my two children, for our extended family, including our police family, for his friends and our church, Garrett has three words privately just for you. He can now say them over and over without tiring. With joy: I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you. What more could there be to say? Blessed be the name of the Lord,” she said during an emotional moment at the end of the eulogy.

Officer Swasey was honored with a 21-gun salute followed by a miles long procession that started at New Life Church in northern Colorado Springs and made its way south on I-25, east on Garden of the Gods and Austin Bluffs, and south on Union Blvd.

Swasey was buried at a private service at Evergreen Cemetery.