Hawthorne police Officer Andrew Garton was remembered Friday as a family man who committed himself to his department and its residents, but made his wife, children and God his priorities.
About 2,000 police officers, friends and family members gathered at SeaCoast Grace Church in Cypress to celebrate the 44-year-old motorcycle officer's life, which ended May 26 in a collision with an El Segundo police sergeant in Torrance.
"As much as he did for us, his first love was you guys," said Hawthorne police Officer Todd Kusserow, speaking to Garton's family in the church's front pews. "He loved you, Tracy. He wanted to be the best husband he could be. He loved you, Grant and Garrett. He talked about you all the time."
Police officers from throughout the South Bay and Southern California, some from as far away as Central and Northern California, attended the service.
Several promised to serve as "uncles" for Garton's 12- and 7-year-old sons, taking them to their baseball games, fishing and to ride motorcycles.
"I know 100 dads who are good at these things. We've got you covered," Kusserow said. "We are committed to this. When you guys turn 18, you will have made your dad proud."
Garton became the first officer in the Hawthorne Police Department's 89-year history to die in the
line of duty when he and El Segundo police Sgt. Rex Fowler collided in Torrance while escorting a funeral procession for Manhattan Beach police Officer Mark Vasquez. Vasquez, 36, died of cancer last month. Fowler is recovering from surgeries for a broken leg.During a morning ceremony Friday outside the Hawthorne police station on Hawthorne Boulevard, officers commemorated Garton's "end of watch." The department's entire staff - sworn officers and administrative personnel - stood at attention as Garton's flag-draped casket was loaded onto a SWAT vehicle, which served as a hearse to take the SWAT officer to the church.
Garton's wife, sons and other family members stood by as bagpipe hymns echoed through the city's usually busy thoroughfare. City officials and friends stood behind them.
"He has gone to a better place and has left us here, in a worse place," Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi said. "The suffering for Andrew is over, but now it begins for his family. That's who we need to pray for and support. The basketball games, the football games, the family outings. There's a void there now."
At the memorial service in Orange County, Police Chief Robert Fager called Garton an "exceptional man" who had an outstanding sense of humor.
California Attorney General Kamala Harris said Garton had made his city's streets safer, working as a motor officer to enforce traffic laws and reduce crashes.
"The state of California is a better place because of Officer Garton," Harris said. "Officer Garton did not give his life in vain. He gave it for all of us.
"In the eyes of California," she said to Garton's sons, "your dad is a hero."
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18203664?source=rss
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