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He proved you don't have to be rich to make a difference': Thousands of mourners and officer from across the country bid emotional farewell to rookie Mississippi cop shot down during traffic stop
- Liquori Tate, 25, was killed alongside long-serving officer Benjamin Deen
- They were killed in Mississippi last week during a traffic stop
- He was hailed as an example for children because he fulfilled dream of being cop
- Deen's funeral and burial was held in the city on Thursday
- Marvin Banks, 29, has been charged with capital murder in connection with the deaths. He was denied bond on Monday
Thousands gathered in Mississippi to mourn the death of a rookie police officer shot dead alongside his veteran partner during a traffic stop last week.
Liquori Tate, 25, who had always dreamed of being a police officer, was hailed as an example of dedication and hard work in an emotional service on Saturday.
Under rainy skies, people lined the highway from Hattiesburg to Starkville, many waving American flags, to honor the slain officer as the funeral procession passed.
Emotional: Thousands paid tribute to 25-year-old cop Liquori Tate a week after he was shot dead in Mississippi
Victims: Hattiesburg officers Benjamin Deen (right) and Liquori Tate (left) were killed last weekend. Tate was laid to rest on Saturday
A funeral was held on Thursday for Benjamin Deen, the other officer killed.
The services - with choir singing, eulogies and police honors - were held at West Point Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. He was to be buried nearby in Starkville.
Police say 29-year-old Marvin Banks shot the two officers after Deen pulled over a speeding car driven by Banks' girlfriend, 22-year-old Joanie Calloway.
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'He sent a powerful message to our nation's youth: that you can be good, and that you can be all that you want to be,' Mayor Johnny DuPree said of the 25-year-old Tate.
'Liquori Tate proved that you don't have to be rich, and you don't have to be old to affect the lives of millions of people.
'And both officers have changed the mindset and the way that we respect the jobs that officers perform every day.'
Hattiesburg cops carry the coffin of their fallen colleague, Officer Liquori Tate, after his funeral on Saturday
'Powerful message': Tate was hailed as an example for kids that you can achieve your dreams
Family members wept during the eulogies and prayers in Hattiesburg before Tate was buried nearby
Tate, who was known as CoCo to friends and family, had a childhood dream of becoming a law enforcement officer, playing with police cars and games when he was young.
That dream was realized June 11, 2014, when he was sworn in as a Hattiesburg officer after a stint at ABC Security.
He was known among colleagues as a dedicated worker with a contagious smile who worked tirelessly to strengthen his relationship with the community.
'Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,' HPD officer Robert Magee said. 'It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol salute fallen Hattiesburg Police Officer Liquori Tate in the service
Tate, who was known as CoCo to friends and family, had a childhood dream of becoming a law enforcement officer, playing with police cars and games when he was young
'Officer Tate had many storms in his short life, and after every storm, there was rain. But not only did he dance in the rain, he didn't mind taking others (dancing) with him.'
Tate may have said it best himself through one of his old Facebook posts, which was shared in a tribute program during the service.
'Life is too short,' the post read. 'So if I die today I'm happy how my life turned out. And I'm happy that I had a chance to meet the people that I met and I enjoyed every moment that I have spent with each and every one of them. That's my word.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3084889/Funeral-rookie-cop-Liquori-Tate-shot-veteran-partner-Mississippi-traffic-stop.html#ixzz3rDAUwu5v
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