HOUSTON – Four Houston police officers bid a final farewell Friday to their dear friend who fought in World War II.
Channel 2 first told you about Earl Culmer in March 2015. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, even earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, but never thought much of his service.
"When I got back after the war I thought nobody really cared," Culmer told Channel 2 in March.
Culmer kept his medals in boxes for decades, until he met fellow Marines and HPD officers Kenneth Elliot, Jake Simmerman, Eric May and Jimmy Conley during a service call.
The officers and Culmer bonded so much, they decided to give him a shadow box so he could put his medals on display. For nearly the past year they regularly visited Culmer, learning about his love for playing cards and hanging out on his porch.
"He was like a grandfather to us," Elliot said.
On Oct. 23 Culmer passed away at the age of 91.
Friday morning dozens of Patriot Guard riders showed up to his funeral at Houston National Cemetery to give him a proper burial. Elliot, Simmerman, May and Conley served as the pallbearers.
At the end of the ceremony, they each placed a rose on Culmer's grave. It was a final honor for one of the few greats left from the Greatest Generation.
Culmer leaves behind a brother, sister, daughter and one grandchild.