Dale Claxton

CORTEZ -- Family, friends and a brotherhood of police officers put on a funeral ceremony of a magnitude that might have astonished Cortez Police Officer Dale Claxton.

"I tell you folks, humble Dale could not believe the tribute you are paying him this morning," said Pastor Michael Thornton of Faith Bible Church, which Claxton’s family attends.

More than 1,200 mourners -- about half of whom were law enforcement officers -- packed the west stands and stood on the adjacent grass Wednesday morning at the Montezuma-Cortez High School football field.

Claxton, 45, was killed Friday after stopping a stolen water truck on County Road 27 in Cortez. The killers drilled 18 bullets into his patrol vehicle, then took off. They remained at large Wednesday.

Attendees included officers from all over the region -- as far away as Salt Lake County, Utah, Fort Morgan, Rio Rancho, N.M., and Page, Ariz.

Gov. Roy Romer altered a busy schedule and flew from Denver to give a short talk during the service, honoring Claxton and all law officers.

A line of an estimated 300 cars -- again, mostly law enforcement -- followed the casket, which pallbearers loaded onto a horse-drawn hearse as soulful bagpipes bleated "Amazing Grace."

The half-hour-long procession crept down Main Street from the stadium on the west side of town to Cortez Cemetery on the east side. Hundreds of citizens and visitors, scattered along Main, watched and saluted.

At the cemetery, a couple hundred officers and family paid a final tribute in a gusty wind.

At the funeral service, an emotional Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane thanked the community for its support during the crisis. It was the first time under his leadership an officer had been killed on duty.

"I never thought I would have to stand before you to talk about a fallen officer from my department," Lane said, pausing a moment to regain his composure.

He called Claxton a vital part of the community. But at first look, he wasn’t too impressed with the 40ish man and his application to the department in 1995.

Finally, though, he thought, "‘Yeah, maybe we ought to give this guy a chance.’

"We did, and it was like putting a fish in water."

Friend Jeff Reinhart remembered Claxton as a "complex man who lived so simply." He said Claxton’s decision to join the police force in 1995 made his life complete.

"He will be missed. Dale, thank you for being a friend always."

Romer flew into Montezuma County Airport, landing at about 10:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. services. He honored a man believed to be the first officer killed in the line of duty in Colorado since Denver Police Officer Bruce Vander Jagt in 1997.

Romer thanked all officers for their service, and said he was reminded at a time like this "how close a community can get to total chaos."

"There are those among us who believe they can take the law in their own hands," Romer said, speaking of Claxton’s killers. "That cannot happen in our state."

He was not specific, but said state money might be available to help in the search for three suspects wanted in the case. He already has sent in the Colorado National Guard.

"The state of Colorado stands beside you. We are going to do everything in our power to see a wrong is righted."

SWAT teams stood guard on the ground at the football stadium and hovering above in a Black Hawk helicopter throughout the funeral.

"With that many police officers in the same place ... we thought someone might think it a good time to try and make a name for himself (by killing police)," Lane said after the service.

Claxton was born in Omaha, Neb., and in 1965 moved to Wheat Ridge, where he graduated from high school in 1971. He moved to Cortez in 1973.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, and their two children, Caitlin, 12, and Corbin, 11. He has two children -- Judy Choate, 24, of Niagra, Mo., and Colton Claxton, 23, of Buffalo, Mo. -- from a previous marriage.

Claxton was remembered as a family man. Thornton said he was hard-working, loyal, a perfectionist on the job and loved children.

Fellow Cortez officer Diane Fox said Claxton kept his co-workers laughing with a dry sense of humor. No matter how busy, he was always there to give backup.

"Dale has touched our lives," Fox said. "We are all better people simply for knowing him."

Lane, his voice breaking, said Claxton’s call sign, Lobo II, will be retired.