LAFAYETTE, Colo. — The funeral service for Arvada Police Officer Gordon Beesley was held Tuesday, June 29, at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette.

Beesley, a 19-year veteran of the Arvada Police Department, died when a gunman opened fire June 21 in Olde Town Arvada. Beesley was a school resource officer at Oberon Middle School but was out on patrol for the summer.

During the service, Arvada Police Chief Link Strate talked about what made Beesley special.

"He had a fundamental goodness to him that is all too rare," Strate said. "His goodness stood out from the rest so significantly, that you would stop and ask, 'Why aren't more people like Gordon?'" 

The stage in the church was adorned with items reflecting Beesley's interests and hobbies, including a drum set. Beesley was a member of the department's drum and bugle corps, Strate said.

"Quite frankly, he looked remarkable good in a kilt," Strate added. The audience laughed.

Susan Gilmore and her son Gil were some of the many people in attendance at Beesley's procession before the service. She said this was the third procession for an officer she's attended with her son.

"It’s important that I talk honestly with my son about what’s going on in this country," said Gilmore. "It’s incredibly important that he grows up to have an incredible moral compass: integrity, respect, love and kindness.”

Gil held up a handmade sign to the dozens of officers driving by. It read "God-speed Officer Beesley. We love you and all L.E.O.s", which stands for Law Enforcement Officers. Susan hopes the message can truly resonate with people. 

"We need to talk. We need to communicate. We need to lean in. We need to listen. We need to lift each other up. And we need to love on each other. That’s the message we should all be sending to each other and especially our children," said Gilmore.