MOODY, Ala. (AP) — Hundreds of people filled an Alabama church on Monday for the funeral of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty last week.
Dozens of police officers were among the mourners at services held for Moody police Sgt. Stephen Williams. After a funeral at the First Baptist Church of Moody, a long procession of vehicles followed a white hearse toward the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo for a burial service.
Williams, 50, was a husband and father of three. He was shot to death last week while responding to a call at a motel in Moody, located east of Birmingham, and two people are charged with capital murder in his death.
The officer’s oldest son, Lake Williams, struggled to keep his emotions in check as he spoke before an overflow crowd.
“My dad was the single greatest man I’ve ever known,” said Williams, who recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. “He lived his life with a set of moral principles and values, values like putting others before yourself, living your life with love and always taking the opportunity to goof off while it comes.”
Moody Police Chief Thomas Hunt said Williams was a “true leader” who loved to sing karaoke when not on duty.
“He brought so much to our department and community,” said Hunt, standing before Williams’ flag-draped casket.
Williams was in law enforcement for more than two decades and was named the city’s Officer of the Year in 2019. Officials announced his promotion to the rank of lieutenant following his death.