Jan 7, 2008 2:36 pm US/Eastern
Loved Ones Say A Final Goodbye To Corporal Brooks
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
He made the ultimate sacrifice. Corporal Courtney Brooks of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police was laid to rest Monday after being struck and killed while on duty.
Suzanne Collins reports hundreds of officers were in attendance.
Corporal Brooks' friends, family and co-workers all agree that he was a very upbeat person, who worked hard and loved to tease and have fun.
Early Monday morning, officers from all over the state and beyond gathered to honor Corporal Courtney Brooks. The Maryland Transportation Authority officer was struck by a car on New Year's Eve, while on a traffic detail.
A procession of flashing lights stretched several blocks, quietly making its way to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
Bagpipes were played as the officer's family arrived. Sisters, brothers and grandparents mournfully came to the cathedral. Corporal Brooks, father of three, was engaged to be married. He and his fiancée had several children. The corporal's grandfather recalled the way his grandson lit up a room.
"Spanky or Corporal Courtney Brooks was an amazing young man, full of life. He walked with an aura," said his grandfather, Perry Hunter.
Corporal Brooks died when a driver swerved behind flares, where he was working on I-95.
Governor Martin O'Malley reflected on the sacrifices Brooks made as he was implementing homeland security duties, re-routing trucks to protect New Year's Eve revelers.
"For 13 years he worked to protect the lives of Marylanders and 13 years his family backed him up in that noble and godly calling," O'Malley said.
The investigation into Brooks' death remains unsolved. While the car that hit the officer has been found, no driver has been charged.
Friends had their hearts on all the good memories Monday.
"I knew him as 'Spanky.' He was a very funny guy, very lighthearted, always had a joke. He always had something good to say. Always smiling. I'm going to miss him so much. Family gatherings just won't be the same without him" said Karlitha Umoja, family friend.
Even those who didn't know Corporal Brooks personally, felt deeply for him and his family.
"Any one of us could be in the same position, we all have families. We all do the job. It's dangerous," said Sergeant Scott Virden.
"It's a brotherhood of officers and we always come out to pay respects to a fallen officer, a hero. It's just in our hearts to do that and it's part of our duty," said Detective Jim Skidmore, Baltimore County Police.
Corporal Brooks and his fiancée had a wedding scheduled and they had just purchased a home. He was promoted to corporal after his death.
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