SAN ANTONIO – Family, friends and members of the community said a final goodbye Monday to fallen San Antonio police detective Ben Marconi.
[READ THE ORIGINAL STORY ON KSAT.COM]
Police said Marconi was killed writing a traffic citation when Otis McKane, 31, allegedly walked up to his window and shot him twice after getting upset about a child custody case that had nothing to do with him.
Marconi's funeral was held at Community Bible Church near Loop 1604 and Gold Canyon Road and was open to the public.
There was a private procession from the Porter Loring Mortuary downtown to the church prior to the service. The procession traveled on Interstate 35 to Highway 281 and then onto Loop 1604.
Sgt. Michael Davis, who worked with Marconi in SAPD's special victim's unit, said the slain detective was "a rock" who worked on cases involving the worst crimes imaginable. He said Marconi had a calming spirit.
Marconi's daughter, Jacey Lewis, said her father was "true role model" and someone who was fun to be around. She said she'll miss "his big belly laughter."
Lewis also joked about how her father would eat half of the baked goods that she prepared for school fundraisers.
Several hundred people first paid their respects during both a viewing and rosary on Sunday night.
State Sen. Carlos Uresti, accompanied by state Sens. Jose Menendez and Donna Campbell presented the Marconi family with a Texas flag that once flew over the state capitol.
Uresti said the Texas Senate will file a joint resolution in the Texas Legislature in January that Nov. 29 be recognized as Marconi Day in Texas.