Philadelphia police lead vehicle procession for Sgt. O'Connor

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It's a block filled with families and neighbors who are more like family too, usually a place with so much joy.

Now in every window, signs display the badge number 8162. The man who wore it was a big source of that joy.

"What am I going to miss most about Jimmy? His kind, his big heart," said Andrew Szychulski, who lived next to Sgt. James O'Connor IV, who was killed in the line of duty last week.

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SWAT Corporal James O'Connor gave his life doing what he loved for 23 years, protecting and serving the City of Philadelphia.

"We're a close-knit group on this block. They love their cops and this just shows you what kind of guy Jimmy was," said Szychulski.

Philadelphia landmarks light up blue for Sgt. James O'Connor.

Formerly a Corporal, O'Connor was promoted to sergeant after his death. A week after his passing, his family still can't hold a proper police funeral because of restrictions on crowd size, but the police community wanted to show this family their hero isn't forgotten.

"He gave his life for this city and he deserves it, just remember him still then," said Terri O'Connor, the late officer's wife.

For an hour Friday, hundreds of police vehicles rode by the O'Connor home to pay their respects.

"I didn't know how today was going to turn out. I didn't know if people would show up at all and I've been assured that he's not forgotten, he's not forgotten, and we got a glimpse of that today," O'Connor said. "It helps. It helps us get through the hurt a little bit better today."

The family says they still plan on doing a big funeral when it's possible.

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