'A True Servant': Final tributes or Major Greg Barney
It's a final farewell Saturday for a beloved husband, father and friend known as Riverdale Police Major Greg Barney.
The 25-year Riverdale veteran was laid to rest after an emotional tribute service at Saint Phillip A.M.E. Church in Atlanta. Hundreds of people, including law enforcement from around the metro-area and across the country, gathered to pay their final respects.
Barney was shot and killed more than week ago while assisting with a drug raid in Clayton County. Mourners said he'll be most remembered as a role model and a staple throughout his community. He would've turned 51 Thursday.
Riverdale Police Chief Todd Spivey tearfully remembered the officer and gave his condolences to Barney's wife, Lisa, and 15-year-old twin sons, Greg and Robert.
"Although his last assignment was administrative, he was always eager to jump into action," Spivey said.
Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill said Barney touched, changed and saved lives before making the ultimate sacrifice.
"He was a real leader, a true legend that we all can aspire to one day be," Hill said.
Originally from Camden, New Jersey, Barney was one of five siblings. He started his career as a volunteer firefighter and EMS employee for 17 years for the Borough of Lawnside.
His former chief, Franklin Harper, told Fox 5 he treated Barney as a son.
"He was a great guy and a true servant. Someone to be proud of," Harper said.
The most emotional part of the service happened when Greg's wife, Lisa Barney, addressed the crowd.
She thanked everyone for their support, while saying if her husband knew he had to die, he would've wanted to be remembered this way.
"I'm angry. I'm mad. I'm sad. I'm happy," Barney told the crowd. "But most of all, I am proud of this man, proud to be his wife and proud of these boys."
And to a thunderous applause, the widow turned to her sons and said, "Look around this place today. Your dad was a hero."
The Chief Spivey retired Major Barney's unit Saturday in honor of his memory.
He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in College Park.