Las Vegas NowOfficer James Manor Laid to Rest

Officer James Manor Laid to Rest

The funeral of Officer James Manor was held Friday and many people gave tribute to Officer Manor. The service was held at the International Church of Las Vegas on Westcliff near Cimarron.

An estimated 3,600 people attended the funeral service. It was standing room only.

There were laughs and tears at this service. The church Officer Manor attended believes in celebrating life when someone passes away. That's what much of this service was -- a celebration of someone who touched so many people.

Manor is the second Metro Officer to die in the line of duty in the past decade. So with the full pomp and circumstance that any police force can give, Manor's life was remembered Friday.

"When you think about all of the things he has done, all of the people he has touched, it's a blessing," said brother Jermond Manor.

Jermond says he's cried his last tear and it's time to celebrate. Jamie, as his family and friends called him, was described as a gentle giant.

Officer Manor is one of 11 kids. He rose from the projects in Las Vegas, got a scholarship to college, was captain of the Eastern Michigan football team, and made a huge impact on Las Vegas even though he only lived 28 years.

SLIDESHOW: The Funeral of Officer James Manor

After graduation, Manor returned to Las Vegas and began a life of helping others, working at juvenile probation and the Clark County School District. Jamie also followed his mother's lead and led a life of volunteerism, helping out at Doolittle Community Center and Agassi Prep School.

At age 26, Manor took his passion for helping others a step further and became a police officer. When he was killed last week, Jamie was just 15 days shy of his two year anniversary with Metro.

Sheriff Doug Gillespie went to his mothers house the morning her son was killed to break the news. "James died in the line of duty to protect the community. It was senseless and not for nothing," he said.

It seemed everyone Jamie touched was inspired. After working a graveyard shift at Metro he would go to local community centers in West Las Vegas to volunteer. Growing up, Jamie collected friends like enthusiasts collected baseball cards. He was only on the force since 2007, but developed a life long bond with fellow officers.

Stuart Bowman was behind Jamie on Flamingo the morning of the accident. He was going to the same call and watched the crash. He needed help paying his respects. "Just wanted to say thank you to his family, his teachers, his pastors, anyone who helped make him who he is. Manor had a way about him. He was a doer and the only man in my age group that I wanted to be like," he said.

It was Jamie's daughters who seemed the most composed. She wrote a letter to her dad saying he taught her to be strong in her eight years of life. She was. "Daddy is not with us now, but let's talk to him in our hearts," she said.

Jayla Manor watched, along with the rest of the congregation, as Jamie left the church to his final resting place.

After the service, a huge police procession escorted Officer Manor to the cemetery. The flag- draped casket was accompanied by a honor guard of more than 100 law enforcement vehicles, representing several agencies. Hundreds of officers from not only Nevada but surrounding states came to pay their respects to one of their own.

"Please protect the peace officers gathered here today. Protect them, Lord, as they try to protect us," said Pastor Naida Parson.

With ceremonial precision, Metro's Honor Guard members folded the American flag that had been draped over Manor's casket. Sheriff Gillespie presented that flag to Manor's mother and presented another flag to Manor's daughter, who then wrapped her tiny arms around the sheriff in a hug.

Seven shots fired three times simultaneously rang out in a 21-gun salute, and Metro helicopters flew over the gravesite ceremony in the missing man formation, indicating one of their own is gone forever.