HOUSTON — Funeral services for Deputy Kareem Atkins, who was killed earlier this month in what investigators say was an ambush, were held Monday.
The funeral was held at Champions Forest Baptist Church at 15555 Stuebner Airline in Houston.
Family and friends gathered to pay their respects.
"In my eyes, there will never be another Kareem because every holiday, every birthday, every anniversary, every baptism I’ll be looking for him and I won’t be the only one," family friend Jimmy Vitela said.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo proclaimed Oct. 25 as Kareem Atkins Day.
At the funeral, Constable Mark Herman praised Atkins for his work ethic and commitment to law enforcement.
Atkins' family said he wouldn't want his death to be in vain.
"At the end of the day, we need a Kareem in our lives. We need a Kareem that could make us laugh. We need a Kareem that can hold us. We need a Kareem that can always tell us it’s going to be OK even though sometimes it feels like it’s not," Vitela said.
Before the funeral, there was a visitation for family only from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. After that, visitation for the department and public took place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Immediately following the funeral, there was a graveside service.
Atkins leaves behind a wife and two young children. He had recently returned to work following paternity leave.
Atkins was one of three deputies shot during what investigators say was an ambush outside a club in north Houston early Saturday morning. Atkins didn't survive his injuries.
Deputy Darryl Garrett, 28, is still in the hospital. He was shot in the back and his fiancée said he'll need a kidney transplant. Deputy Juquaim Barthen was shot in the foot and is also still in the hospital.
At this point, there is no suspect in custody.
How to help
There are gofundme.com accounts set up for all three deputies. We have information on how to donate here.