Town of Clinton gathers to say goodbye to their fallen hero

They waited as officers from across the state escorted officer Gary Michael to the funeral home. Many were holding flags, and everyone was filled with emotion.

The 37-year-old was shot to death Sunday during a traffic stop in Clinton, about 75 miles southeast of Kansas City. A suspect, 39-year-old Ian McCarthy, was arrested Tuesday evening.

At the funeral home, his brothers and sisters in blue saluted him as his body was carried into the building followed by a prayer.

It was an incredibly emotional moment, but those who live in the community said it was important to honor their hero.

"I think there's overall sense of sadness just about what happened, and it could happen here because were small town. We don't have a lot of crime, certainly nothing like this," Cheryl Craig said.

Many who came out to the procession say they'll also be at the vigil which starts at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Henry County Court House.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday from 6-9 p.m. at the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton.

Michael's funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Benson Convention Center, with a public viewing two hours before the service.

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