It was a somber march of a police department in mourning as the body of 19-year police veteran Officer Moses Walker, 40, was brought up Lehigh Avenue Sunday afternoon on the very streets he used to patrol.
The procession was to Deliverance Evangelistic Church, where Walker was an active member.
"He's the one who greets me at the door and sometimes he'd walk me to my seat. And when I heard and saw his picture. I was just shocked. I'm still shocked" said a fellow church member.
Walker's body, carried on horse-drawn carriage hearse, was followed in procession by fellow members of the 22nd District, the men and women he served with every day.
"I think it's pretty apparent the number of men and women from the 22nd District, the entire command staff paying tribute to Officer Moses Walker not for how he died but how he lived and how he served the citizens of the city" said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.
As if it was a sign, just as the police color guard brought the flag-draped casket into the church,
Walker's family was told the second suspect in his murder was in custody in Alabama after turning himself in to the FBI.
Then came the strong words from an angry Mayor Michael Nutter.
"Both of them should rot in jail for the rest of their lives and rot in hell after that" said Nutter.
"We have a little closure that this person is off the streets and he won't have a chance to kill nobody else. Nobody else," said a woman who identified herself as Ms. Pat, a community activist.
A steady stream of officers, dignitaries and families of other fallen officers paid their respects including complete strangers.
"It is anger to know here's a young man who is on his way to retire and put all the years in the force with a really good record and for hoodlums and thugs just to walk up and take his life for no reason" said Tracy Young of North Philadelphia.
A public viewing being held at Deliverance Evangelistic Church on 2200 Lehigh Avenue will begin at 7 a.m. Monday followed by funeral services at 10 a.m.
Burial services will take place at Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, Pa.
