BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Thousands of law enforcement members from around the country were in Brevard County on Tuesday to pay tribute to a fallen sheriff's deputy.
Brevard County Deputy Barbara Pill was killed in the line of duty last week.
Her funeral is the one of the largest ever held in the county, officials said.
Led in by bagpipe players from across the country, Sheriff Jack Parker greeted Pill's husband with a tearful embrace.
"She spent every opportunity she had serving others and making their lives safer and better," said Parker.
Pill was a 30-year veteran of law enforcement, and her service was something she passed on to her two sons.
Ryan Pill works with the Melbourne Village Police Department and Jeremy Pill is a Brevard County sheriff's deputy. They gave a tearful tribute to their mom.
"She had many roles that she excelled in. As a mother, she would kiss our wounds when we fell, but insisted that we get back up," said Ryan Pill.
After the service, a 21-gun salute and taps were given to honor Pill, and then a sheriff's dispatcher radioed out her call number, 644, one last time.
Early in the day, an American flag was hoisted high above the street outside of the Calvary Chapel as hundreds of officers gathered to honor Pill on Tuesday.
Citizens lined the streets to pay their respects to Pill.
Citizens looked on as the massive funeral procession made its way through a 12-mile stretch of road that was lined with American flags, from Babcock Road in Palm Bay to the church in West Melbourne.
Janet Lindsley, the wife of an officer, watched the procession.
"This was a really hard one for me. All police officer killings are hard, but this one being in Melbourne, my husband works in Melbourne. It was quite different," said Lindsley.
It was tragedy that the citizens of Brevard County said never should have happened.
A woman gave her life protecting the community, and spending a few minutes to remember and honor her family and fellow deputies, was what the citizens said they felt they had to do.
"It's very sad. Very, very sad and emotional, but at least as the community coming together shows we can stick together," said Lindsley.
Pill's pastor said she cared deeply about children, reminiscing about how she was always the "team mom," particularly with Bayside High School wrestlers and even their opponents.
"When they would walk off the mat and be upset, she would walk over and console them," said Pastor Norm Holm.
There will be no graveside service for Pill.
The family said they have decided to have her body cremated.
Investigators said 22-year-old Brandon Bradley opened fire on her during a traffic stop related to a report of stolen furniture from a local motel.
Pill was trying to convince Bradley and his 19-year-old girlfriend Andria Kerchner to get out of the car, investigators said.
"She died in the service of God and her fellow man while facing evil head on," said Parker.
WFTV has learned investigators have recovered a gun from the SUV driven by Bradley. Authorities said they are investigating how the convicted felon was able to get a gun.
The gun is being tested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to confirm it was used in the shooting death of Pill.
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WFTV
