Thousands gather at service for slain CdA police sergeant

When he left for his overnight shift, police Sgt. Greg Moore would assure his young son Dylon he’d be OK. Because he was Batman.

“My dad was the best … He was always there for me,” Dylon wrote in remembrance of his father, who was shot and killed Tuesday in the line of duty.

The 12-year-old boy was there for his dad Saturday, along with thousands of others, at a memorial service to remember the life and service of the Coeur d’Alene police officer.

The gymnasium at Lake City High School, where Moore once was assigned, was packed with police officers and emergency responders from across the Northwest and as far as Los Angeles and Chicago.

They listened as friends, family and colleagues recalled Moore’s wit and good nature, his leadership and commitment to serve, and his devotion to his children.

“He was not satisfied sitting at a desk,” police Chief Lee White said. “In the end, and the reason that we are here today, is that he personified the oath that we take when we raise our hands and are sworn in.”

Detective Johann Schmitz, a close friend, said he admired how Moore treated his co-workers, community and family.

“Greg’s actions did so much more to define his character and cement his legacy than any words that can be embroidered on a patch,” Schmitz said.

Moore was shot when he confronted a suspicious man walking down a dark residential street early Tuesday morning. Police captured a suspect, who is being held on $2 million bail.

It would have been easy to drive on past that night, Schmitz said, but Moore did what was hard – stop and investigate – and it cost him his life.

Pastor Rodney Wright of Lake City Community Church said he counted Moore as a friend, and he spoke of the pain his death has brought.

“To all those in law enforcement, I want to encourage you and give you permission to cry and to share your grief,” Wright said, and many of those in uniform did weep during the service.

He also commented on the outpouring of support from people in Coeur d’Alene and around the region for the family and the police department.

“In the midst of this difficult tragedy it has been amazing to see this community respond with such beauty and kindness and dignity,” Wright said.

The service blended the customs of a full-honors funeral with memories of Moore from family and friends. It included an honor guard with scores of officers from around the region, and a pipes and drums band that included Coeur d’Alene and Spokane County firefighters and Seattle police officers.

Thousands packed into overflow rooms at the high school and elsewhere in town to watch the ceremony broadcast on TV screens.

State Sen. Mary Souza of Coeur d’Alene said she found the service “tremendously moving – extremely ceremonial yet very down-to-earth and personal.”

As mourners arrived at the high school, 100 Patriot Guard Riders stood silently in front of the school holding American flags that flapped in the breeze.

“We’re all family,” Idaho Ride Captain Kimi Coles said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re civilian, police or veteran. We all kind of intertwine.”

Sean Cherry and his son Avrey, both in baseball uniforms, watched the preparations outside. Their Little League had canceled the day’s game out of respect.

“I didn’t know the officer, but that doesn’t mean I can’t honor his service,” Cherry said.

Dylon Moore began the day playing a match of soccer – he and his dad shared a love for the sport – and the boy scored the first goal and had an assist. The memorial service crowd applauded the achievement.

Inside he sat beside his mother, Jennifer Brumley, Moore’s former wife. Chief White attended Lindy Moore, his widow, and the Moores’ 1-year-old daughter Gemma. Lindy teaches third grade at Ramsey Magnet School of Science, and a large group of teachers and staff sat nearby, all wearing blue school shirts.

“Whenever I look at Lindy or think of Dylon and Gemma,” White said, pausing to wipe his eyes, “the stark reality of the loss hits me. I was able to go home to my family on Tuesday night, hug my children, kiss my wife. I realize that Dylon and Gemma and Lindy will not be able to do that for Greg.”

After the two-hour service, the family followed the hearse to Forest Cemetery, trailed by a caravan of police and emergency vehicles that stretched for miles and brought traffic to a halt. Thousands of people lined the route to pay their respects. Many waved flags or signs such as “Rest easy Sgt. Moore.”

Julie Bailey said she was proud to see the turnout. “It’s amazing, the outpouring from the community,” Bailey said. “You realize how close to home it can hit.”

The procession included delegations from every corner of Idaho and Washington, and from cities and counties in Montana and Oregon. They included state troopers, sheriff’s deputies, tribal and college campus police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Forest Service, state corrections officers, rural fire departments, ambulance crews, and motorcycle clubs of current and former law enforcement. A group of Canadian Mounties from British Columbia attended as well.

Many of the vehicles displayed “K27” stickers in salute to Moore’s call sign.

Concluding his remarks at the service, Chief White said, “K27, rest in peace my friend.”