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Thousands line Deputy Koontz procession route

Posted at 5:33 PM, Mar 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-29 17:57:03-04

KOKOMO, Ind. -- They came from all over.

Officers in blue uniforms and tan uniforms. Some wore brown.

Many were from Indiana, but in the parking lot there were squad cars from Illinois, Ohio and New York. 

Many probably did not know Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz, but on this day, he was their brother. 

They guarded his casket before his funeral, filled the bleachers during his funeral, and waited for him after his funeral. 

MORE | 'Carl has touched so many people' | Deputy Koontz's widow delivers eulogy at his funeral

There were so many squad cars participating in the procession from his funeral to his burial, that it took an hour to line them all up. 

PHOTOS: Deputy Carl Koontz laid to rest 

And when they started driving there were red and blue lights as far as one could see. 

When they hit the road, they were not alone. Lining the streets were people standing shoulder to shoulder who wanted to pay respect to a man who had died while serving them. 

Parents brought their kids. 

Many held flags. 

The procession stopped in front of the Howard County Jail, where a radio call for Deputy Koontz went out for the last time. 

LISTEN: Final radio call for Dep. Carl Koontz

And eventually continued on to escort him to his final resting place at Albright Cemetery, where they were met by members of the Honor Guard. 

Hundreds of officers, friends and family members gathered there for a service to say goodbye to a husband, father, son, brother, deputy and hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

PREVIOUS | Fellow officers remember Deputy Carl Koontz | Sheriff: 'We were all better for having Carl with us' | Donnelly: 'Eternally grateful' for Koontz's service | Gov. Pence: Deputy Koontz was an 'Indiana hero' | Howard Co. Sheriff: 'Deputy Carl Koontz was one of our family'