WEST VALLEY CITY -- Hundreds of people from the West Valley City community and beyond visited Officer Douglas Barney's stake center to remember the fallen Unified Police Officer Sunday.
About 10,000 are expected to honor Barney's memory at the Maverick Center Monday starting at 11 a.m.
Watch: Memorial service for fallen Officer Barney 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
"He was just the most amazing and incredible man I ever met," said family friend Robert Knapton. "I was devastated when I saw the breaking news, and to know I actually knew Doug, it just crushed me."
Barney was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 17.
From the American flags, to the blue ribbons, to the men and women in uniform, law enforcement personnel everywhere were also saying goodbye.
"Just a few moments ago I was speaking with New York City police officers, Chicago police officers, in addition to the many of our retired members that flew into town specifically for this event," said Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder.
Winder said its important to look at the silver lining regarding Officer Barney's death.
"It proves that Doug's loss was not for nothing, quite the contrary, it really was for the support of our community," Winder said.
Winder said Officer Barney was a gifted officer because he was able to manage such a serious job through humor.
"He was the guy that we all knew, that when things got tense, he could joke long enough to resolve the situation," Winder said.
Barney leaves behind a wife, Erika, and three teenage children. Friends say it's inspiring to see how strong they've been in the face of such tragedy.
"Erika said that she felt so much love from the police officers and the community that she felt like she could do anything right now, her eyes were dry and she was smiling," family friend Patty Sampson said. "I've never seen a widow so composed. It's obvious she is being very supported by prayers and by family and friends."
