A somber memorial service was held in honor ofr DeKalb County Officer Edgar Flores on Tuesday.
His life was cut short on Dec. 13, just a few days before his 25th birthday. He was killed in the line of duty. The service was held at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody.
Law enforcement officers from near and far attended, along with DeKalb County officials, Georgia Governor-Elect Brian Kemp and his wife, and Flores’ family and close friends.
One of his classmates from the 110th Police Academy in DeKalb, Officer Justin Hamilton gave a tearful speech remembering his brother in blue.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said, as he stood on the stage with his other three other classmates. Their instructor also stood by their side.
Hamilton said he was heartbroken when heard the news about Flores. He shared fun moments he had with Flores and talked about the last time he saw him.
“I told you I would see you later,” he said. “If I had known that was the last time I would see you, I would have hugged you just a little bit harder.”
“He was born to do this job,” Hamilton said.
In the days since Flores died, Hamilton said he has tried to keep working in his honor.
“You will watch over all of us,” he said. “Officer Flores, well done. We got it from here. I’ll see you at the final formation.”
DeKalb Chief James Conroy of Police gave Flores’ family two awards at the funeral – one being a Medal of Honor.
“He was an example for all of us,” Chief Conroy said. “He made DeKalb County a better place.”
He asked everyone to honor Flores by serving the community.
His younger brother, Alexis Flores, wants to take heed to that advice. Major KD Johnson, the South Precinct Commander in DeKalb, told the congregation that he spoke with the 15-year-old the night Flores died.
“He made it clear that Officer Flores was his idol,” Johnson said about Alexis. “He stated to me that he wanted to be a police officer and he wanted to wear his brother’s badge when he became a police officer, a DeKalb County officer.”
“I assured him that we would make that happen,” he said.
Alexis spoke at the funeral saying they weren’t expecting his death.
“He was an amazing brother, son, boyfriend and role model,” he said. “I wanted to thank all of the first responders who tried to save him.”
K9 Indi also made an appearance at the funeral. Indi was shot in the face tracking down the man accused of killing Flores. He received a standing ovation as he walked inside the sanctuary.
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurman spoke a message of unity.
“We stand united in support of our men and women in uniform,” he said.
When the service ended, an End of Watch call was done outside before his body was escorted from the church.
His brother ended his words of remembrance with this: “Rest in peace, Officer Flores.”
