Hundreds pay final respects to fallen police officer at funeral service

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Slain Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman was laid to rest Thursday following a funeral service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City.

The 31-year-old was shot in the neck during a traffic stop in Kensington on June 22. He was put on life support and died from his injuries on Sept. 10.

Members of the public were invited to pay their respects at the Cathedral Basilica between 8 and 11 a.m. A private funeral service got underway at noon.

A hearse carrying Roman’s body left the Northeast Philly funeral home early Thursday morning via police motorcycle escort and made its way to police headquarters. From there, a procession was led through Center City to the church, accompanied by the sound of bagpipes and officers marching in synchronized steps, with Commissioner Kevin Bethel and other top brass leading the way.

When speaking before the service, Bethel said Roman made the "ultimate sacrifice" and will be remembered as a dedicated public servant.

“He chose to come back to serve his community, protect those on the street where he once was a child," he said. "So when you talk about service, here’s an officer who was in a different district and had to transfer back to a community so he could serve that community.”

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker were also in attendance.

Parker echoed Bethel's recognition of Roman's dedication and sacrifice for his community and city, something she said every Philadelphia police officer shares.

"We can’t be afraid to remind Pennsylvanians and Philadelphians that our officers make a great sacrifice for us on a daily basis," she said.

The governor said everyone across the city today would be honoring Roman's life and legacy.

"Somewhere in Philly today a child will tug on his mom‘s arm and say 'Why aren’t the flags all the way up the pole?' The child’s mom will tell him about Jaime," he said. "In a local park seniors will take a break from playing chess, they will see the flag at half staff and they [will] pause to pray for Jaime and all of you."

Dozens of police officers conducted a Commander’s March Wednesday evening, following Roman’s family into Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philly. A line of mourners took turns offering their condolences.

Roman was with the police force for nearly seven years. He leaves behind a wife, two children, his parents, and two sisters.