LAKELAND, Fla.,None — Law enforcement agencies from all across the state paid their respects on Tuesday to a Lakeland police officer who was killed in the line of duty.
Funeral services for Officer Arnulfo Crispin were held at the Victory Baptist Church.
The 25-year-old was shot in the head on Dec. 18 while doing a weapons check on a man.
Crispin died on Dec. 21 at the hospital. He had only been on the job for 18 months.
Law enforcement members from across the state lined the entrance to the church Tuesday morning when Crispin's casket was carried in.
Friends described Crispin as quiet but brave. Friends also said Crispin was a kicker on the Mulberry High School football team, and had shown interest in law enforcement early on.
Deputy Arturo Herrera talked to WFTV about his childhood friend.
"As neighborhood kids we'd always get together, play soccer, football," said Herrera.
The two grew up in a rough side of town in Mulberry. Herrera said their families had very little and they saw law enforcement as a way out.
When Crispin joined the Lakeland Police Department, he visited Herrera who said Crispin told him he wanted to go back to their neighborhood and help.
"Part of our conversation in the office was how we could help out the Hispanic community," said Herrera.
Inside the church, Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack choked back tears as she spoke about her officer, who had joined the force 18 months before he was killed.
"Officer Arnulfo Crispin dedicated his life to serving and protecting others," said Womack.
Investigators arrested 19-year-old Kyle Williams on a first-degree murder charge for shooting Crispin, police said.
Crispin is survived by his mother and father, three sisters and five brothers.
Joining family members and law enforcement officers to mourn was Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott asked that the state flag be flown at half staff on Tuesday at the Lakeland Police Department, Lakeland City Hall and the Polk County Courthouse, in memory of Crispin.
After the service, there was a long precession line to a cemetery, where Crispin was laid to rest.
A national symbol of honor was on display at Crispin's funeral.
WFTV was at Orlando International Airport on Monday when the U.S. Honor Flag flew in and was picked up by law enforcement officers from across Central Florida.
The flag was flown over the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon after the Sept. 11 attacks.