'It's One Of Your Brothers, Your Sisters'

SEATTLE - From Oregon to British Columbia, officers from nearly 75 law enforcement agencies gathered Monday to honor fallen Seattle police officer Joselito Barber.

Barber was killed last Sunday when a driver speeding in an SUV crashed into his patrol car on 23rd Avenue and Yesler Way.

Seattle Police officers stood at attention in front of the department's east precinct where Barber worked, while others outside of law enforcement stood on street corners to watch Barber's motorcade go by.

The motorcade started at St. James's Cathedral downtown and went northbound on 23rd Street before heading down Montlake Boulevard. By the time it reached "Hec" Edmundson Pavilion at the University of Washington for the memorial service, hundreds of other officers had joined the salute.

"We've been through this and we know the grief the family goes through," said Portland Police Officer Richard Miller. "This is an honor to them and to him."

"It's one of your brothers, your sisters," said Poulsbo Police Officer Stacie Foley. "It's really hard to experience a loss such as this. It really hits home no matter what department you work for."

Officers from Yakima to Calgary came wearing different badges and uniforms but they gathered as one.

Sergeant Rob Dibden drove in from Victoria, B.C. with 3 other officers early Monday morning.

"I know American officers have shown great support when Canadian officers lost their lives in the line of duty and it's important for us to do the same," he said.

Joselito Barber had only been a police officer for 5 months but veterans reflected on the lessons learned from a rookie.

"When you put on this uniform whether you're a firefighter or police officer, when you put your life on the line like that, the worst can happen," said Assistant Police Chief Nicholas Metz with the Seattle Police Department.

270 Washington Officers have died in the line of duty. Barber is the first to die in Seattle since March 2005. Officer Jackson Lone fell into the Lake Washington Ship Canal and drowned trying to secure an abandoned tugboat. Officers gathered to honor the 56th fatality, knowing it would not be the last.

"We're as vulnerable as everyone else," said Frank Havens with the Bothell Police Department. "We're human."