Hundreds of police honor slain Denver officer
DENVER — Hundreds of uniformed police officers packed a Colorado church Saturday for the funeral of a Denver officer who was shot and killed while breaking up a fight in a city park.
Celena Hollis, a 32-year-old single mother, died June 24 when she was shot in the head.
Hollis, a seven-year veteran of the force, was off-duty but in uniform providing security at a jazz concert in the park.
Police arrested 21-year-old Rollen Oliver on suspicion of first-degree murder in Hollis’ death.
After the funeral, a procession was to take her body on a 6-mile route from the church to the cemetery.
Hollis was an officer in Detroit before moving to Denver. Wayne County, Mich., sheriff’s officials planned to pay tribute to Hollis there by stopping their vehicles and simultaneously turning on their lights and sirens Saturday.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced Friday that Hollis would be honored at Sunday’s Jazz in the Park concert at City Park. There will be a silent vigil before the music starts and a band will play some of Hollis’ favorite songs.
“We will not surrender what we consider special in this city to anyone,” Hancock said after the shooting.
More than 1,000 people were at the park when the shots rang out. Waves of people ran through the grounds while others who were initially unaware of the shooting remained seated on picnic blankets and lawn chairs.
Dozens of Denver police vehicles raced into the park and yellow tape was soon put up in a parking lot near the lakeside pavilion where the concert takes place.
This undated photo provided by the Denver Police Department shows veteran Denver Police Officer Celena Hollis. Denver police expect thousands of officers to attend a funeral service for Hollis, who was shot and killed at an outdoor jazz event at a city park. The police department says a service for the 32-year-old single mother will take place at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene Saturday, June 30, 2012. Following a six-mile procession, Hollis will be buried in Fairmount Cemetery. Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE