BELTSVILLE, Md. -
Officer Adrian Morris' funeral procession wound its way through the Prince George's County streets where he served.
While cameras clicked and colleagues stood at attention, his casket entered Woodstream Church in Mitchellville. Morris' mother, Sherrin Crosdale, walked behind it.
"Adrian knew this day might come," says Prince George's County Police Chaplain Edward Harding. "Yet every day, he got up and put on that uniform, strapped on a weapon and went to work anyway."
Morris' friend, Officer Michael Owens, said he wants to focus on happy memories.
"I want to talk about his smile. How I'll never forget it," says Owens. "I want to talk about his laugh that is forever etched in my mind."
While fighting back tears, POFC Kenneth Hibbert explained that he thought of Morris as a little brother.
"He was just a remarkable young man," says Hibbert.
Prince George's County Police Chief Mark Magaw posthumously promoted Morris to the rank of Police Officer First Class.
"He was always willing to help others and treated everyone that he encountered with dignity and respect - regardless of their place in life," said Magaw. "The Prince George's County Police Department is a better police department because of Adrian."
After the funeral, Morris' uncle, Linval Crosdale, told reporters: "Adrian not only extended himself to serve others, but he was quite the family guy. Very thoughtful, respectful. He would quickly anticipate what was needed beyond the spoken word. He would quickly anticipate what was needed."
Near the end of the service, a salute at the casket and a candle lighting that included Officer Michael Risher, Morris' partner, who was in the cruiser last Monday and survived the accident.
Adrian Morris
