Although the burial service was reserved for family, close friends and members of the Rocklin Police Department, the memorial for Matthew Redding on Friday at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville was anything but restricted.
Former classmates, now-grown Little League teammates and the many who considered the Rocklin Police officer a friend were among the mourners who filled the 3,000-seat auditorium.
Hundreds of law enforcement personnel, some from as far away as Oakland, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz and Redding, filled much of the lower-level seating. The church parking lot was filled nearly one hour before the morning memorial service.
"I thought the service was beautiful," said John Redding, Matthew's father. "It is amazing to see how many lives Matthew touched."
A huge funeral procession that included around 100 police motorcycles passed through Rocklin streets after the Roseville service and eventually reached Bayside Covenant Church in Granite Bay, where a reception was held.
After the service, John and Marilyn Redding later said goodbye to their son during a private burial ceremony as he was laid to rest in the Rocklin cemetery.
The 29-year-old Redding, who was struck by a pick-up truck allegedly driven by Eric Dungan, 25, of Lincoln at about 4 a.m. Sunday, died a short time later in Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
Redding's casket was draped by an American flag and watched over by an honor guard whose members were replaced about every 10 minutes.
Mark Redding, 24, and his brother's fiancée, Jessica Navarette, were visibly moved as they said their farewells.
They weren't alone. Emotion was evident early in the service. People with tissues dabbed their eyes and noses as Redding's parents and brother walked hand-in-hand to the stage.
John Redding said his son had always been a strong person. He spoke of Matthew's growing-up years - how he liked to help his mom do landscaping, had been a good role model to his younger brother, wanted to be a professional baseball player or a police officer and the many hunting and fishing trips father and son had shared.
"Somewhere between we became best friends," he said.
Arthur Navarette, who would have become Redding's father-in-law, said he already thought of Matthew as a son. When Redding's fiancée spoke, she said they had planned to grow old together.
"Not only was my love stolen from me, so was my future," Jessica Navarette said. "I miss Matt so much."
Using Redding's Bible to quote his favorite Scripture from Psalms 1, Pastor Jay Vincent of Sierra Baptist Church noted the young officer loved his family and friends dearly, but treasured the Bible above all else. Vincent has lived across the street from the Reddings since they moved to Rocklin in 1986.
Rocklin Police Chief Mark Siemens said the large gathering showed how "special Matt was."
"We are here to honor his life and career," Siemens said. "One of the most rewarding acts in my career is the swearing in of new officers. This tall, strong hometown boy was proud to be a cop, and wore a smile for weeks (after he was sworn in)."
Siemens said although he had hired many police officers, Redding was one who surprised him. After a couple of years the tall, thin young man had buffed up and learned a great deal from veteran mentors.
"Before long he was showing us how it was done," Siemens said. "Matt caused all of our officers to have greater contact with the community, if for no other reason than to flag them down and ask, 'Is Matt Redding working tonight?'"
Applause erupted when Siemens declared Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office had declared December would be known this year as Redding Drunk Driving Awareness Month.
A theme throughout the memorial was Redding's Christian faith. Pastor Richard Cimino of Metro Calvary Church, where Redding attended, spoke of Redding's love for Bible studies and people.
"I once asked Matt, 'Do you ever get afraid?' He said, 'No, I like catching the bad guys,'" Cimino said. "More than anything he wanted to be a Jesus man."
After a slide presentation that featured photos of Redding, Cpl. Eric Dollar of the Rocklin Police Department read the Policeman's Prayer,
"I don't think I can do this," he said, choking back tears. Haltingly he exchanged the word "policeman" with Redding's first name in the poem's last stanza.
"Step forward now Matt, you've borne your burdens well," Dollar read. "Come walk a beat on heaven's street, you've done your time in hell."
The Redding family and Navarette were presented folded flags by Siemens and Asst. Chief Dan Ruden before the ceremony ended. Law enforcement personnel saluted as they filed past the coffin, which was then led by a lone bagpiper to the church parking lot where uniformed officers stood at attention to observe three helicopters honoring Redding with a flyover.
Lt. David Johnstone, who acted as department liaison and helped the family make funeral arrangements, said there were countless volunteers and personnel who loved Redding and assisted in making memorial preparations.
"This has been part of my healing process, doing this has helped me," Johnstone said. "The Reddings have been amazing. To know them is to know Matt."
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