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Fallen Miami Officer Laid To Rest

MIAMI SHORES (CBSMiami) – A Miami Police officer found dead in his home more than a week ago was laid to rest Saturday afternoon.

Officer Carl Patrick's funeral took place at 1 p.m. at Trinity Church at 17801 NW 2nd Avenue.

To the sound of bag pipes, Patrick's flag-draped coffin was wheeled into a church in Miami Gardens. He was surrounded by the members of the Miami Police Department honor guard. Patrick was part of the very same honor guard for two decades. If he'd been alive, he would have been standing next to them, honoring a fallen officer.

The honor guard presented Patrick's mother, Lucille, with the highest recognition a member of the honor guard can get.

Officer Carl Patrick Burial
(Source: City of Miami Police)

"They honored his uniform," said Miami Police spokesman Sgt. Freddie Cruz. "It was framed and given to this mother as well as the flags."

Click here to view more pictures of the services honoring Officer Carl Patrick.

Friends, family and even Governor Rick Scott packed the church were Patrick never missed a Sunday by his mother's side. For many in attendance, the highlight of the service was Patrick's mother performing a gospel song.

"For her to have the strength to stand before us and sing that song, with wavering…there was no wavering," said Patrick's long-time friend, Ofc. Jimmie Cheever.

At the service, the Miami Police Department revealed Patrick was also part of the crisis intervention team. He was trained to deal with the mentally ill.

"He had the ability to relate to absolutely anyone," said Cheever. "Regardless of what the situation called for, he would be able to adapt."

The procession later moved to Dade Memorial Park, 1301 Opa-locka Boulevard.

53-year old Patrick received a burial with full honors as if he had been killed on duty. The decision was made because Patrick was wearing his uniform when he was killed. Investigators also found his lunch and work laptop ready to go. The Miami Police Department says it was clear Patrick was on his way to serve the community when he was killed.

His "line of duty" burial honors included a 21-gun salute, a flyover by helicopters from Miami and Miami-Dade police, and the handing over of a folded American flag to his mother.

He was buried in his full honor guard uniform.

And later there was a final call for Patrick over the police radio saying, "Let us take a moment of silence to honor his memory."

Although no one has been charged or arrested in his death, Patrick's girlfriend, Tiniko Thompson is considered a suspect in this death. She admits to struggling with him just before she claims Patrick shot himself.

READ: Video Shows Girlfriend Of Fallen Officer Shortly After Shooting

While Thompson was never mentioned by name, the City of Miami's Chief of Police Manuel Orosa said he has full confidence in the investigation. Orosa thanked the Pembroke Pines Police department for meticulously investigating the case. Orosa said he knows there would be justice.

Pembroke Pines police have called the incident a homicide, but there has been no arrest. Police have asked Thompson to come in for questioning, but she has refused.

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