Family, community honor slain Mass. officer

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Thousands of police officers from around the country joined the governor and other dignitaries to remember a Springfield officer slain in the line of duty.

Officer Kevin Ambrose, his casket decorated with green flowers in the shape of his No. 7 badge, was laid to rest Friday during a funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Siena church in Springfield.

The Rev. Joseph Sorrano, Ambrose's pastor from St. Cecilia's Parish in Wilbraham, said the 36-year veteran "built his life on five important pillars: faith, family, friends, service and fun. In each of those areas, he was a success."

A procession of an estimated 6,000 out of town officers took 15 minutes to march past the church, lined with hundreds of civilians.

Ambrose was shot Monday responding to a domestic dispute by a man who then took his own life.