The Omaha community, the law enforcement community, friends and family gathered Tuesday to pay their final respects to Police Officer Kerrie Orozco.

She was killed in the line of duty last Wednesday, shot to death while trying to apprehend a wanted man.

The funeral began at 11 a.m. at St. John's Church on the Creighton University campus.

Omaha's CenturyLink Center was set up to handle the overflow of those wishing to watch the service. Police officers from across the country were in attendance.

At the church, the crowd filtered in early. The family arrived as bagpipes played. Even before the service began, crowds lined the procession route to the cemetery in Council Bluffs. Many were dressed in blue to show support for the law enforcement community. They braved the rain, some clutching American flags.

Omaha Police Department Capt. Michael McGee spoke about Kerrie before the service and told us, "She was quite an officer, quite a human being."

Outside of her duties with OPD, Officer Orozco was active in the community. She participated in helping the Special Olympics as well as the Boys and Girls Club. She was a wife and mother and seven-year veteran of OPD.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has said the city owes her a debt of gratitude. "Officer Orozco viewed herself as a guardian and as a friend of the community. She wanted to protect and be there for the community in times of need. Officer Orozco served the community in many ways, giving people the chance to see through the blue and through the badge." He said Kerrie was many things, “officer, detective” and "friend.”

Her family placed a white cloth over the casket.

Father William Bond said, "We gather this morning for many different reasons. Perhaps the reason so many people are here is respect. I want to thank you for that respect," adding he wanted all of those law enforcement personnel present to know that the respect extends to them as well. "Many of us gather here to pray. At a time like this we need God. Kerrie died doing what she loved to do. She loved being a cop. Even when she was holding little baby Olivia Ruth against her chest in the hospital so the two of them could bond, skin to skin, she talked about wanting to get back to work and saving that leave for the time Olivia Ruth would come home, she talked about feeling strange not taking her gun to the hospital. It was so much a part of her."

"She liked making big arrests that made a difference. Even in, as we were preparing for marriage, I could see the professionalism and the joy she had for work in law enforcement. She reminded me that in her world, the people she deals with are not perpetrators, they're just suspects. Let someone else do the judging. Her job is to make sure the process happens. To make the arrest, bring them in and to let someone else decide who's guilty and innocent."

Father Bond said Kerrie had told him that the people in her world are not perpetrators, just suspects. "She knew her world and she felt it was important to make the streets safe for everybody."

Those who knew her knew she held strong to her faith and as Father Bond recalled, she also had a strong sense of humor. "Kerrie, trying to play some practical jokes on people. That laughter is part of how we are. I regret I cannot give it to you as well, but know that's a part of who Kerrie is. Her family truly wants this time of sorrow and tears to fade and there to be a lasting smile for the contributions Kerrie has made to the world."

Chief Schmaderer told those assembled, "It's an honor to be asked to speak. I'm proud the entire nation got to know Kerrie." He said she had a way of getting people to see the person beyond the uniform.

"The greatest aspect of knowing Kerrie is that she got people to look past the fact that she was a police officer. She had a way of connecting and getting you to see past the uniform and to see her just as a person. She readily accepted the role of being a police officer, of being a role model. And she believed in giving back to the community."

He said the next time you see a police officer, "I want you to look past the badge and see Kerrie. See a little bit of Kerrie in that officer." The chief thanked Kerrie. 'We will return the favor and watch over your family."

Archbishop George Lucas offered support to the family of Kerrie Orozco. He said prayers have been offered and they will continue. He said the police department has also suffered a loss. "We thank you for the strength and dignity you've shown."