Hundreds gather to remember slain Officer Curtis Billue

MCINTYRE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Word of Officer Curtis Billue’s death alongside a fellow officer touched thousands across the nation, and brought hundreds in droves on Saturday to support his family in their final goodbye.

“We wanna hold up the members of our community that serve our community and stand here for our safety. Officer Billue was one of those folks who helps us stay safe on a daily basis,” said Patriot Guard Rider Don Wilson.

Both tears and laughter filled the Wilkinson County High school Gym as people listened to stories of Officer Billue on and off duty.

“Mr. Billue was a very influential person in this community, a very faithful servant to the community, and the loss will be felt continuously,” said Pastor Sam Johnson of Corner Stone Missionary Baptist Church.

Some knew him. “Sergeant Billue was one of our transport officers he would come in to transport the inmates to other facilities,” said corrections employee Thedora Sneed.

Other’s simply came to pay their respects to a man who made the ultimate sacrifice. “We back the blue here in Georgia. We take that seriously. These are the people who enforce the laws and keep us safe so we can sleep well at night,” Wilson said.

Whether they knew him or not, didn’t stop the overwhelming sympathy family, friends and colleagues received from community members.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to gather together under these circumstances. There’s one thing this family will remember years from now, after this tragedy has been over and gone and that’s how they felt on this day. We wanna make sure they feel the love and embrace of their community and their country,” Wilson continued.

It gave them comfort in their sadness and support in their sorrow.

Officer Billue and Officer Christopher Monica were shot to death last Tuesday by two inmates trying to escape during a prisoner transport.

Officer Monica’s funeral is scheduled to be this Tuesday at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in Milledgeville.