On Wednesday thousands were at Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries in Baltimore to attend Detective Sean Suiter's funeral.
Hearse carrying the casket with Detective Sean Suiter arrived moments ago surrounded by honor guards and officers @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/xqDQvAFxBv
— Shannel Pearman (@ShannelPearman) November 29, 2017
Honor guards marched for Suiter to remember and celebrate him. Inside the funeral, programs were handed out featuring colleges of the fallen detective.
Scenes from the funeral of Det. #SeanSuiter including collages of the officer from the funeral program that was just handed out. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/uJvk18sjCf
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) November 29, 2017
When Suiter's family arrived, law enforcement agencies gave them a full salute.
Detective #SeanSuiter family arriving to full salute from area law enforcement agencies. pic.twitter.com/e3UDXIbWyG
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) November 29, 2017
RELATED: Thousands of officers expected to be part of Detective Suiter's funeralprocession
During the funeral, the focus was more on a celebration of life, than talking about the death of Suiter.
"We came to celebrate life today"
- Clifford Johnson, Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Church and Ministries#seansuiter— Christian Schaffer (@chrisfromabc2) November 29, 2017
Commissioner Kevin Davis spoke about Suiter's past and even cracked some jokes. Davis talked about Suiter's character, how he served his country his entire adult life, and how Suiter constantly gave to others.
Mayor Catherine Pugh talked about how her heart grieves for Suiter and for the city of Baltimore. She said she is dedicated to protecting the citizens and police officers in the city and talked about how she hopes to have 3,000 officers patrolling the community. Pugh ended her eulogy by talking about how Suiter's family is loved by all and she talked about how important Suiter was.
Mayor Pugh talks about Sean Suiter and his wife Nicole’s relationship. Nicole told her they met on blind date and loved Family Feud.
— Ashley James (@AshleyJamesABC2) November 29, 2017
Governor Larry Hogan also spoke at the funeral, and he focused his eulogy on how Suiter lived and died a hero. Hogan said he was a cop that served with integrity, you could count on him, and he was loved by his family and brothers in blue.
MD Gov. Larry Hogan: "No words can possibly ease that pain because the truth is that life will never be the same. What I can offer to all of those gathered here today is assurance that Detective Sean Suiter lived and died a hero and that he will never be forgotten"#seansuiter
— Christian Schaffer (@chrisfromabc2) November 29, 2017
Suiter's son Marquis read a powerful poem that was to his mother, Nicole. The poem was written as if his father was speaking. He later came back up with the rest of his siblings to a say a final goodbye, where they thanked their father for what he taught them and how much they all miss him.
Det. Suiter's five children all on stage now.. Oldest daughter speaking: "This all seems so impossible"#seansuiter
— Christian Schaffer (@chrisfromabc2) November 29, 2017
Fighting back tears #DetSeanSuiter oldest daughter surrounded by siblings thanked him for his guidance and support. Jasmine says they never addressed how she would have to carry on without him. pic.twitter.com/zrRojzzVcM
— Kelly Swoope (@SwoopefromABC2) November 29, 2017
His squad from the Baltimore Police homicide unit got on stage in suits to honor their fallen friend and co-worker. Detective Jonathon Jones was speaking and said, "Sean was with us right from jump." Jones also said that Suiter had a very special way of dealing with families.
"There are no words perfect enough to describe the man he was. He made me a better person every time I was around him," said homicide detective Eric Perez. Perez worked with Suiter in the Western District of Baltimore before they both joined the homicide division.
The funeral ended with Bishop Clifford John of Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries speaking and thanking Suiter for his service, and how Suiter has had 13 days with Jesus already.
Baltimore Police said they are planning to release more information about Suiter's death on Thursday.
