ST. LOUIS — As Tamarris Bohannon's procession turned the corner, there was a crowd waiting for his arrival.
"I made it my business to come over here today," Berenice Wilkerson said.
Bystanders waved police-themed flags with a thin blue line through the center. It's the same line running across the badges and across the hearts of the police standing at attention outside Cathedral Basilica Sunday afternoon.
Phillip Wilder lives in South City and saw police cars rushing through his neighborhood the night Bohannon was shot.
"He sacrificed his life," Wilder said. "A police officer never knows where they are going, and they don't know what type of situation they're going to be in."
Wilkerson drove to the Central West End with her sister and was happy to see so many others assembled.
"It's just heartbreaking," said Darlene Vitale, who lined up along the street to send Officer Bohannon off.
Heartbreaking for those who knew Officer Tamarris Bohannon and those who didn't.
"I feel sorry for him and his kids, I have so many friends who are police officers and I just think of them and their families so it gets me," said Courtney Colombo.
On Sunday, a moment of silence and a final salute were held as fellow officers escorted Bohannon past the precinct he served for more than 3 years.
"This is sad that this is what maybe brings our city together and it sounds like Officer Bohannon was an officer for all of the people," said Mary Colombo from along the route Sunday.
Hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects to the father, husband, son, police officer and brother in blue, shining a light on the life and career of someone who left a lasting impression with just about everyone he met.
And if you ask his fellow officers everything you'd want in a policeman.
"It's a shame, shame, when is it going to stop? He was a good guy, good guy," said another person on the procession route.
A statement backed up by the memorials, fundraisers and show of support during Bohannon's last ride.
"I wish I wasn't here trying to hang this flag today but it's just, they're in our hearts, they're in our hearts," added Vitale.
