Public viewing held for slain Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez
A second viewing will be held Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Mourners gathered Monday afternoon to say goodbye to Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez.
Officers marched from Archbishop Ryan High School to the Givnish Funeral Home where loved ones paid tribute to the fallen officer.
For some, it didn't matter if they ever met the officer. What mattered was the senseless way he was killed.
About 20 members of the 369 Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club came to support one of their own, a sergeant who worked in Mendez's unit.
SEE ALSO:2 more arrests made in killing of Philadelphia police officer Richard Mendez
They brought a motorcycle as tribute, adorned with Officer Mendez's picture and name.
"Family came out and really appreciated it, shows he's gone and not forgotten," Joe Riddick, the president of 369 Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.
Officer Mendez, 50, served more than 20 years with the Philadelphia Police Department. He was shot and killed while trying to stop a car break-in at a Philadelphia International Airport parking garage on October 12.
Police say the suspects fired at Officer Mendez and Officer Raul Ortiz.
Officer Mendez was killed. Ortiz was also shot but survived.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting, including 18-year-old Yobranny Martinez Fernandez, 21-year-old Alexander Batista-Polanco, and 21-year-old Hendrick Pena-Fernandez.
A fourth person believed to be involved in the killing, 18-year-old Jesus Herman Madera Duran, was killed in the Thursday night shooting.
Police believe there were others responsible for helping the suspects hide out after the killing.
SEE ALSO: Details revealed on how police tracked down 3 suspects in murder of Philadelphia officer
On Monday evening, his dedication to the force was praised.
"If he heard that glass breaking, he could have went the other way. He did not do that. He did his job," said Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby.
It's a heartbreaking time for the police department.
"It's a very unforgiving job and one of the things, it's a reality of it, you know it when you sign up for it, but no one wants to think this will become an outcome for anyone," said Interim Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford.
Monday is just day one of two public viewings for Officer Mendez.
A second viewing will be held Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Race Street in Philadelphia.
The funeral service for Officer Mendez will be held immediately after. However, seating inside the Basilica is reserved for family, friends, law enforcement personnel and dignitaries.
Action News will be streaming the service live on 6abc.com.
Road closures, traffic detours in place for funeral services
The following streets will be closed from 5 a.m. until the conclusion of the service on Tuesday:
- 18th Street between Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Vine Street
The following streets will be closed from 6 a.m. until the conclusion of the service on Tuesday:
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 16th Street and 22nd Street
- Vine Street between Logan Circle and 16th Street
- Race Street between 17th Street and 18th Street
- 17th Street between Vine Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- 19th Street between Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Cherry Street
Additional streets in the vicinity of Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Eakins Oval may be closed or detoured by Philadelphia Police should conditions warrant.
