SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police Officer Miguel Moreno was remembered Friday at his funeral as someone who was proud and loved being a cop and never complained about the dangers associated with the job.
Hundreds of mourners packed Community Bible Church on the city's North Side to mourn "Mo," who was described as quiet but confident, having a big smile and an easy manner about him.
Moreno, 32, was shot June 29 when he and his partner, Officer Julio Cavazos, were investigating vehicle burglaries. Moreno was shot in the head and died the next day. Cavazos survived his injuries and attended Moreno's funeral, where he was recognized and given a standing ovation.
"A cop's cop is gone," police Chief William McManus told mourners. "Our loss. San Antonio's loss. It is now our job, as we've done too many times before, to make sure that Mo's memory stays alive."
McManus extended condolences to Moreno's family, telling them, "Nothing will make us feel better except faith and time."
The chief said that Moreno loved the people of San Antonio, often participating in community events.
"All you had to do is ask him and he was there. And most times, you didn't even need to ask," McManus said.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the city is proud of Moreno and that his shooting death "feels like an equation that doesn't add up." But added, "senseless violence doesn't get to diminish us (or) divide us."
Gov. Greg Abbott said attending Moreno's funeral was a "sad and perplexing irony."
Abbott had planned to sign a bill into law marking July 7 Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Day In Texas on the one-year anniversary of an ambush shooting that claimed the lives of five officers in Dallas.
"Respect for our law enforcement officers must be restored in our nation. No more will we disrespect those who serve," Abbott said. "Officer Moreno was and will always be the very best."
After speaking, Abbott presented a Texas flag to Moreno's family.
Officer Joshua Flanagan, who was in Moreno's cadet class, said the fallen officer was a "go-getter" and was "well-liked on his shift."
"Mo always caught the bad guy," Flanagan said.
He said that Moreno liked to travel and took clothing with him on trips that had a Spurs or a San Antonio symbol on it.
Flanagan said that the fallen officer loved to dance and he was well-liked by women.
"The ladies loved them and he loved them right back," Flanagan said.
He said that Moreno was an organ donor and that his organs will help 60 people.
Officer Arturo Moreno, the fallen officer's younger brother, was very emotional and fought back tears eulogizing his sibling.
"This was the hardest week of my life for me and my family," Moreno said. "I never thought in a million years that today would be the day I would be on the stage talking (at) my brother's funeral."
Moreno said that his older brother was intelligent, independent, competitive and lived life to the fullest.
He remembered sharing a bedroom, watching cartoons and playing on their Nintendo.
"(He) had my back at school," Moreno said of his brother who looked out for him at Lanier High School when Arturo was a freshman and Miguel was a senior.
The younger Moreno said that he followed his brother's footsteps by graduating from college and joining the San Antonio Police Department.
"I was motivated by him. (He was) my role model," Moreno said.
Miguel Moreno's badge was retired after the funeral service and he was buried in a private ceremony.
He is the 55th San Antonio police officer to die in the line of duty.
The fallen officer also leaves behind his parents and three sisters.
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