TOLEDO, Ohio — Hundreds of community members gathered to mourn the loss of fallen Toledo Police Officer, Anthony Dia.
Tuesday, they lined the streets of Douglas and Monroe to offer final goodbyes on Officer Dia's procession route.
An emotional day is the only way many of those attending would describe it. In some moments, there was complete silence and others a woman could be heard singing the national anthem.
Some of people who made their way to the procession route say it's been an emotional few days, from hearing the news of Officer Anthony Dia's death to standing on the corner of Monroe and Douglas to hold up a flag honoring his life and sacrifice.
Suzanne Knapp is one of the many people attending to support her son, who is a Toledo Police Officer and was close with Dia.
She says she watched the entire service online and was touched by the letter he left his family.
"Just be strong and like [Officer Dia] said, take care of his family. He loved his family. Also be safe out there. They have 600 brothers and sisters now that will be taking care of [his wife] and his kids," Knapp said.
Gary Hartenfeld said he came because it was the right thing to do.
"I just want to be here for them and I admire the people that are police officers and first responders, it's just overwhelming. If we didn't have the cops it'd really be bad," said Hartenfeld.
Many gathered to express condolences and talk about how hard the last few days have been, whether they knew Officer Dia or not.
Emotional, powerful, senseless and tragic are some of the words that echoed the street to explain what community have felt about the events unfolding since Saturday.
It's important to note, there were people of all kinds honoring Toledo's fallen officer.
One thing they all had in common was standing in unity for Officer Dia, his family and all of his brothers and sisters in the Toledo Police Department.
They held flags and signs as the hearse made its way to Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery.
One woman tells WTOL, she didn't know Officer Dia but felt it was important and necessary for her to be there supporting and honoring him.
"It made me so sad and I'm still sad. I never met the young man but, I've seen and read so many wonderful stories about him. I am so sad about it and I can't imagine what his family and fellow police officers are feeling right now," said Kathy Backard.
Another woman brought her niece, Maliyah, to see the procession and experience it in person.
"I had no intentions on being here. I was watching the funeral on TV and my soul just got me dressed and brought me out to pay my respects. There's been so much going on in Toledo, so much killing and stuff," said Rosalene.
She says it was more emotional for her to experience the procession as a mother because she recently lost her son. She says she her son was telling her to show up.