Procession and funeral held for El Paso Co. Sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Monday morning multiple law enforcement agencies and members of the community will gather to honor the life of an El Paso County Sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty.

Watch the full funeral for Deputy Andrew Peery's funeral and the procession following the service below:

On Sunday, Aug. 7, Dep. Peery was one of two victims who died in a Security-Widefield shooting.

Dep. Peery, 39, had been with the sheriff's office since 2016. Before that, he served in the Infantry from 2001 to 2014. He began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Bakersfield, Calif.

He is survived by a wife and two children.

Leading up to the ceremony, KRDO spoke with community members who attended the service to show their support for Dep. Peery and his family.

"That’s one of the reasons I think Colorado Springs is such a great town, it’s obviously a very heavy military town. I do believe the vast majority of us have a deep appreciation for law enforcement. I knew our community was going to come together and show support for his family," Patrick Holleran, Colorado Springs resident.

Community leaders also attended the service.

"It’s tough. I’ve been a county commissioner going on six years, this is the third loss in the Sheriff’s Office, so I think it’s difficult for the entire community. They’re grieving, they’re hurting, so we want to do what we can to help them and help the family," Longinos Gonzalez, El Paso County Commissioner, District 4. 

The ceremony began with a convoy of law enforcement agencies escorting him and his family into the church.

Watch the convoy leading up to the funeral below:

Once in the church, Associate Pastor Mel Waters began the service by extending his and New Life Church's sincere condolences to Dep. Peery's family and the law enforcement community.

El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder said there's been an outpouring of support from across the nation, including from the FBI and congress.

During his time with the sheriff's office, Dep. Peery was awarded five letters of appreciation, three coins of excellence, two distinguished service awards, two commander citations, and a leadership award. On Aug. 2, Sheriff Elder said he signed another leadership award for Dep. Peery. That will be presented to him posthumously.

"I am so proud of Andrew, I admire him and I'm humbled by the courage he displayed as he made the ultimate sacrifice while serving this community," said Sheriff Elder.

The Chief of Police for the Colorado Springs Police Department also spoke during the service. Chief Vasquez also acknowledged the grief of the family of Alex Paz, the other victim.

He addressed Dep. Peery's family, saying that their father was a hero.

In addition to local law enforcement leaders, Chief Greg Terry with the Bakersfield Police Department also spoke. Dep. Peery began his law enforcement career with the Bakersfield Police Department. According to Chief Terry, Dep. Peery graduated from the police academy on August 15, 2014, exactly eight years ago.

"I didn't know quite what to make of that when I read it, I'm sure there is meaning there I thought. But what would it be what could it be out of something so tragic? It didn't make sense. I thought a lot about this over the last week as I thought of Andrew and his service to our country and to our communities. We never know the years that we will be given so we must be diligent and faithful in the time that we are given to serve others, our family, and the communities that we live in. Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate. To have it had made some difference that you lived and lived well.'"

Congressman Doug Lamborn also spoke, sharing what he relayed to Congress following Dep. Peery. That statement was then given to Dep. Peery's family.

Dep. Peery's brother, Matt Peery, shared memories. He stated that they both walked similar paths in life, serving in the military and then becoming law enforcement.

"He was a better man than me. He was a better soldier than me. He was a better cop than me. He was a better brother than me. I loved him dearly."

Before leaving the podium, he thanked everyone who came out to show support for his brother and their family.

Three of his colleagues spoke together, describing stories about working together and recalling the kind of man he was. During their emotional speeches, each described Dep. Peery's character and how much he meant to them.

The final speaker, Dep. Ryan Gonzales assured Dep. Peery that his children will always have someone in the stands cheering them on.

Following the service, a procession began leading him and his family to the sheriff's office.

The EPCSO is accepting monetary donations for Dep. Peery's family. Below is the information:

Hugh Martin Fallen Officers Fund

Memo: Andrew Peery
Attn: Robert Johnson, CPA
Bradshaw & Associates PLLC
1980 Dominion Way, Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

At this time, KRDO has not received information on any sort of fundraisers for Paz. She was a former marine and identified by her mother as the suspect's ex-wife.

According to Alex's mother, Rosetta Kelley, her daughter lit up the room when she walked in. She loved animals and was in the process of becoming a veterinary technician.

If and when a fundraiser happens for Alex, KRDO will share out that information.