Thousands gather to remember fallen Shelby officer Tim Brackeen

SHELBY, N.C. — Family, friends, a police department and a community said their final goodbye Friday afternoon to fallen Shelby police officer Tim Brackeen.

Thousands filled Shelby High School's Keeter Stadium to honor the fallen officer.

Brackeen’s flag draped coffin was brought across the field, and placed at home plate.

“You honor my brother by being here,” Brackeen’s brother Stephen said. “All we have is gratitude for you.”

Brackeen’s dog, Ciko, was brought in front of the coffin. He laid down to give his final salute to the fallen officer.

Two officers from the Chicago Police Department were among the thousands in the crowd. They flew in Friday to Shelby. They heard about his death and came as members of the brotherhood of the fallen.

“It was just another shock like getting hit in the chest again,” Chicago police detective Terry Shields said. “It just knocks you down every time this happens.

During the ceremony, K9 officers brought dogs in front of Brackeen’s coffin to give their final salute to the fallen officer.

Brackeen was a decorated K9 officer.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory was among the speakers.

“We lost a hero this past week and we need North Carolina and the nation to never forget,” said McCrory.

McCrory also asked the stadium to stand up like there at a real baseball game, and cheer for Brackeen, law enforcement and first responders.

Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony proclaimed Sept. 16 as a day of mourning in the city of Shelby. He called upon all citizens to observe the day with a moment of silence at 2 p.m.

The proclamation also asked places of worship and government buildings that have the ability, to ring bells during the moment of silence in honor of Brackeen.

The Boiling Springs police department held a BBQ fundraiser Saturday that raised more than $12,000 for Brackeen's family.

Visitation held Thursday for Brackeen

For nearly four hours Thursday evening, hundreds of people poured into Bethel Baptist Church in Shelby for a public visitation.

Among them were few law enforcement officers and public servants, who traveled statewide.

Investigators said 38-year-old Brackeen was shot Saturday while trying to serve a warrant to suspect Irving Fenner Jr.

He died two days later.

His father Jim Brackeen fought back tears Thursday as he explained how proud he is of his son.

“I don’t think that I could ask for anything more than to know my son was a servant,” he said.

“He believed and trusted Christ fully, because of him being a Christian he had a heart to serve.”

On his lapel Jim Brackeen wore a pin that read “heroes live forever.”

He said he purchased it this summer in honor of three Baton Rouge officers who were killed in an ambush, leaving others injured.

“I just became very hurt and burdened that we move on with our lives , and here's a family that will never be the same. I didn't realize I'd be wearing it [the pin] for my son,” Jim Brackeen said.

READ OUR ORIGINAL STORY ON BRACKEEN'S DEATH

Brackeen’s body was taken from Charlotte to the Shelby funeral home in an emotional homecoming on Tuesday.

Officers from around the area, emergency crews and total strangers pulled over to honor Brackeen on his final ride.

Irving Fenner Jr., 23, the man accused of shooting Brackeen, was arrested at 2:30 a.m. at an apartment in Coventry, Rhode Island. A State Bureau of Investigation official said they arrested Deitria Morris Tuesday for accessory to murder.  The SBI also arrested Ashley Hamrick Tuesday for harboring an escapee.

Shelby officers stood, heavy-hearted, with solemn stares saluting their fellow officer for the last time.

The color guard escorted his body into the funeral home.

Brackeen's father fell into the arms of Shelby officers in an emotional thank you.

He then walked through the group, shaking their hands.

Dozens of officers surrounded the family, and Brackeen's brother led them in a prayer.

"These men deep within their hearts stood next to Tim in the darkest hour that he ever faced," said the officer’s brother Steve Brackeen.

He thanked the officers for supporting his brother.

Samantha Morrow said Tim Brackeen responded to a trespassing call at her shop hours before the shooting.

She overheard him and another officer talk about getting through the shift.

"He was talking about (how) he got off of work at four o'clock that morning, but he didn't get to,” she said.

She closed down her shop Tuesday, had special T-shirts made and joined the hundreds of people along the procession route.

Chopper 9 flew over the caravan that started at the Medical Examiner's Office in Charlotte.

Scores of people dropped what they were doing and lined the streets. Some held flags and waved.

Most didn't know Brackeen, but they joined the police cars and fire trucks at every exit.

They gave their own salutes and stayed with Brackeen until he reached the final stop.

A close friend and pastor told Channel 9’s Ken Lemon that the family is working on plans for a memorial service.

Faith Baptist Church is doing a combined worship service with Bethal Baptist Church 7 p.m. Wednesday for the Brackeen Family.

A BBQ fundraiser will also be held Saturday, September 17.  Proceeds will benefit the education fund for Brackeen's daughter.  The BBQ pick-up will be at the Boiling Springs Police Department.

Authorities in Rhode Island captured Fenner Tuesday night.

People in the Shelby community paid their respects to Brackeen, Wednesday. A growing memorial covers Brackeen’s patrol car that sits out front of the Shelby Police Department.

Most of the flowers, notes and balloons are blue around the department.

Corey Short doesn’t live in Shelby, but knew Brackeen in passing. She left his family a note. Short said Brackeen was a good man.

“Always had a smile on his face, you couldn't ask for nothing better,” she said. “I'm glad they got [the man who shot Brackeen]. I know that that's a little bit of closure for his wife.”

David Teddy is an attorney in Shelby. He’s seen Brackeen in passing at the Cleveland County Courthouse. With the help of his wife, they were trying to come up with something to help Brackeen’s family.

After selling out of homemade ribbons, he submitted an order for 10,000 ribbons. His staff put the ribbons together, Wednesday, and delivered them to local businesses. Each ribbon goes for $5. Teddy hopes to donate $50,000 to Brackeen’s family.

“We know he had a wife, who's no longer here and a little girl, whose father is no longer here. This is our effort to help that family,” he said.

Read messages of support from surrounding agencies below:

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