Colleagues, friends and family described Detective Benjamin Marconi as "a rock," someone "imperfectly perfect," and a man who believed in always giving others a second chance.
He was kind and a good role model with the ability to put people at ease. From Monday's service, it was clear he was dearly loved by his children, respected by his colleagues and trusted by the community.
Marconi was killed just over a week ago, shot in the head while sitting in his patrol car writing a traffic ticket for a driver who was not involved in the shooting. His death launched a 30-hour manhunt for a suspect who married shortly after the shooting and was later arrested without incident.
A horse-drawn carriage brought Marconi’s remains to Community Bible Church just outside Loop 1604 and Gold Canyon Road. The procession, led by officers playing bag pipes, was the beginning of the final send-off for the 20-year police veteran. Well over 1,000 officers waited at the entrance with a full salute. His memorial service began at 11:30 a.m. Monday with some 3,000 community members, San Antonio Police officers, friends and his family crowded into the church.
Marconi’s last assignment was in SAPD’s special victims unit where he worked with Sgt. Mike Davis.
“He experienced and saw things on a daily basis that most people rarely experience in a life time,” Davis said.
He told the solemn crowd that Marconi was ‘a rock’ to his fellow officers and members of the public.
“While performing his duties Ben never forgot that there were true needs of compassion and empathy, for all persons that needed it especially those that were experiencing such severe trauma,” Davis said.
More than an hour into the service his two children addressed the crowd of supporters.
"Thank you for the support, thank you for the prayers, thank you for every single thing you have done to be here today," said his daughter Jacy Lewis. "You all are the light for us right now. You showed us that there is more good than bad in this world and you reminded all of us of that this week."
His son, Dane Marconi, said his father was known to take care of or take in everyone. He explained, getting choked up, that his father kept work separate from his home life.
"I couldn't have asked for a better father," he said. "He was there for everything. I just hope that I'm half the man he was."
Community Bible Church's Betsy Buhler thanked the Marconi family at the beginning of the service, "We are forever grateful for his watch over us."
Law enforcement officer from more than 100 agencies — from as far away as New York and Illinois — attended Marconi’s funeral. Officers also came from around the state lining the procession route from downtown's Porter Loring Funeral Home that hosted Marconi's viewing and a Rosary service Sunday night.
Richard Pena, a senior officer with the Houston police department says Marconi’s death, as with any officer, was a punch in the gut.
“When any officer gets killed it’s just an unexpected kick. It hurts you deep down inside.”
The service ended with a 21-rifle salute and the retiring of Marconi’s badge.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said the department is in mourning but healing comes with help from the San Antonio community.
“This community is very, very supportive of police, of SAPD, they always have been. And we will do everything we need to do to make sure that continues.”
was killed just over a week ago, shot in the head while sitting in his patrol car writing a traffic ticket for a driver who was not involved in the shooting. His death launched a 30-hour manhunt for a suspect who married shortly after the shooting and was later arrested without incident.
Marconi's memorial service began at 11:30 a.m. today with thousands of community members, San Antonio Police officers, friends and his family crowded into Community Bible Church on the city's Northeast Side.More than an hour into the service his two children addressed the crowd of supporters.
"Thank you for the support, thank you for the prayers, thank you for every single thing you have done to be here today," said his daughter Jacy Lewis. "You all are the light for us right now. You showed us that there is more good than bad in this world and you reminded all of us of that this week."
His son, Dane Marconi, said his father was known to take care of or take in everyone. He explained, getting choked up, that his father kept work separate from his home life.
"I couldn't have asked for a better father," he said. "He was there for everything. I just hope that I'm half the man he was."
Law enforcement from around the state had come to line the procession route from downtown's Porter Loring Funeral Home that hosted Marconi's viewing and a Rosary service Sunday night.
Community Bible Church's Betsy Buhler thanked the Marconi family at the beginning of the service, "We are forever grateful for his watch over us."
