People line the streets in south Habersham to pay their respects to officer Edgar Flores who was killed Thursday in the line of duty. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
Officer Edgar Flores is home.
The 24-year-old Baldwin man’s body was returned home in a hearse, three days before what would have been his 25th birthday.
For seventy miles, across four Georgia counties people stood alongside roadways and bridges to pay their respects to the fallen Dekalb County Police Officer.
Officer Flores was shot and killed by a suspect following a traffic stop in Dekalb Thursday. On Saturday, his body was returned home to Habersham for burial.
Over 100 state and local law enforcement, fire, and emergency service vehicles escorted his body home. Now Habersham live streamed the procession’s arrival in Habersham County. Tributes to Officer Flores and his family poured in on social media as people watched the procession live online and in person.
READ Dekalb officer killed in line of duty was from Baldwin
“I cried through 2 counties at the outpouring of love and respect for this 24 year old fallen hero. Hundreds of people, standing in the rain by the highway just to pay their respects,” wrote Deb Goatcher. “When all traffic on the highway stopped for the procession, I stood shoulder to shoulder with my fellow travelers, tears streaming down our faces as we take in the sacrifice this young man’s family has made in this, the season of joy. Fly high officer Flores!”
Sheila Mack spoke for many with these words: “This truly is a beautiful send off for the fallen officer. It breaks my heart though.”
“This is so sad but so beautiful,” echoed Gene Carporal. “God bless his family and fellow officers.”
Perhaps Pat Hubbard summed it up best when she wrote, “Love is following the officer.” And it did, all the way from Dekalb County to Whitfield Funeral Home in Baldwin. There, Officer Flores’ family and friends wept as his casket was pulled from the hearse.
Scores of fellow officers stood at attention. Somber silence and salutes accompanied Flores on the last few steps of his journey home.
Funeral
Flores was a 2012 graduate of Habersham Central High School and a 2016 graduate of the University of North Georgia. Dekalb County was his first police job. He joined the force there in May 2017 after graduating from the police academy.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help with funeral expenses.
Two funeral services will be held for Flores. The first one will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18 at All Saints Catholic Church at 2443 Mt. Vernon Road in Dunwoody. The second service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 6439 Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch.
Following Wednesday’s service, Flores will be interred at Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 16 from 6-8 p.m. and on Monday, December 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Whitfield Funeral Home’s North Chapel in Demorest.
