MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Inside Bellevue Baptist Church, the sounds of bagpipes played as members of the Wolf River Pipe and Drums marched past the flag draped casket of Officer Sean Bolton.
Thousands came to attend his funeral and pay their respects to Officer Bolton’s Family.
“We want to tell the family of Officer Sean Bolton we love you and we’re grateful for his service,”said Dr. Steve Gaines, the Senior Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church.
The outpouring of support was also seen in the hundreds of faces of law enforcement officers who traveled to be in Memphis..
Officer Bolton’s life ended Saturday night after he was shot during a traffic stop in the Fox Meadows area.
Police Director Toney Armstrong said people should realize all lives matter and God had a plan for Officer Bolton.
“Sean encountered an individual and was basically said he took his life, but that’s not totally true. It was time for Sean to go home. God called him home,” Armstrong said.
Fellow officers and friends described Officer Bolton as a man determined to protect the citizens of Memphis, and holding back the tears, they said no one did it better.
“He definitely was exceptional at what he did, ” fellow officer said.
Officer Bolton was a U.S. Marine and Iraq War Veteran, but he was also known for his sense of humor.
It’s why his friend, the Reverend Don Riley, wore a pink tie and pink socks in his honor.
He spoke of man who enjoyed a good laugh, but a man who believed in service and ultimately gave his life serving the city he loved.
“We honor the name Sean Bolton and his name needs to be etched in the memory of every law enforcement supporters. We honor Sean for his service. All his life he wanted to serve,” Riley said.
