DETROIT (WXYZ) — Thousands gathered Friday morning at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit to bid a final farewell to a hero - fallen Detroit Police Officer Rasheen McClain.
Police Chief James Craig described McClain as “the very best of Detroit’s finest.”
McClain, a 16-year-veteran of the force, was shot and killed November 20 when he his partner Officer Phillippe Batoum-Bisse were ambushed while responding to a home invasion.
McClain died at Sinai-Grace after he was shot in the neck. His suspected killer, 28-year-old Jujuan Parks, has been charged with 16 felony counts including murder.
Batoum-Bisse was shot in the ankle, and has since been released from the hospital.
Chief James Craig told 7 Action News Officer Batoum-Bisse was present at McClain’s funeral, and is “ready to get back to work.”
“He served the Detroit Police Department with dedication and valor,” Chief Craig said of McClain, who leaves behind a wife and three stepchildren.
A FINAL FAREWELL: Funeral services for fallen Detroit Police Officer Rasheen McClain are this morning at Greater Grace Temple on Detroit's west side. The funeral begins at 11:00 a.m. @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/YRbrBVlGyy
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) December 6, 2019
McClain was described by fellow officers as a natural leader and a mentor to younger officers within the 12th Precinct, where he was assigned.
“I personally saw over his body worn camera that he recognized the dangers of this call,” Chief Craig said.
Thousands attended Friday’s service, including law enforcement officers from as far as New York City and Newark, New Jersey.
“I did not know him personally, but he is my brother. So I feel like I do know him. He’s my brother in blue,” said retired DPD Office DeJuan West.
During Friday’s service McClain, a corporal, was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. In the past, Chief Craig said McClain turned down promotions to continue to work as a mentor in the 12th Precinct.
“This is what we look for in supervisors. Courage, discipline. That was all of who Sgt. McClain was,” Chief Craig said.
For officers who worked alongside Sgt. McClain, like Officer Max Reichstei of the 12th Precinct, Friday’s large turnout was no surprise, for a man who he said always put others first.
“When I was having a bad day, he’d just bring me up, or anybody. He was just a great guy, a professional. And he knew his job. He knew his job," Reichstei told Action News.
McClain marks the 10th line of duty death since Chief Craig became leader of the Detroit Police Department, a burden he said he shoulders, and a somber reminder to new recruits of the important oath they take.
“I hear the calls for help. At times I’ve heard the screams. There’s nothing like hearing an officer’s call for help and hearing shots fired," Chief Craig said Friday.
A fundraiser of McClain's family raised nearly $22,000. Thursday, a check was presented to McClain's wife.
