FAYETTEVILLE — Hundreds of people gathered Thursday to say goodbye and pay their respects to Fayetteville police officer Roy Gene Turner, Jr.

The funeral service, which was open to the public, took place at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Law enforcement from across the state attended the service, as well as Turner's family, friends and the citizens he worked to protect.

"He was the humble giant. Knowing what Roy did and what he loved to do, I know he loved being a police officer," said officer Anthony Pratt, Turner's best friend. "He breathed being a police officer and his last breath was a police officer."

Traffic delays occured between 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. as a procession made its way from the Civic Center to the Fayetteville Memorial Cemetery.

The Fayetteville Police Department invited those who wished to pay their respects to set up anywhere along the route.

Wednesday, friends and family gathered to honor Turner, 32, at a viewing at the Wiseman Mortuary.

Turner was shot in the head last Thursday while patrolling an area near Hillsboro and Moore and streets. He died several hours later.

Police have charged Quintel Martinez Augustine, 24, with Turner's murder.

Turner leaves behind a fiance and a seven-week-old son. He was the first Fayetteville policeman killed in the line of duty in more than 25 years.

The Fayetteville Police Department opened an account to help the Craig Ryan Furlong-Turner. Donations can be sent in his name to:

First Citizens Bank P.O. Box 789 Fayetteville, N.C. 28302