Funeral service for South Fulton Capt. Helio Garcia held Monday
FULL VIDEO: Capt. Helio Garcia funeral
Full video of service for South Fulton Police Department's Capt. Helio Garcia, who was killed in the line of duty last week.
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - The funeral service for South Fulton Police Department's Capt. Helio Garcia, 47, was held Monday at World Changers Church International in College Park.
Capt. Helio Garcia's body arrives for funeral
South Fulton Police Department's Capt. Helio Garcia's body was brought to a church in College Park on Monday morning for a viewing and funeral service.
What we know:
According to investigators, 31-year-old Santoria McLean crossed a double white line on Flat Shoals Road around 11:30 p.m. on April 15, striking Garcia’s vehicle head-on. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash.
Capt. Garcia, who was promoted from lieutenant to captain after his death, was one of the first members of the South Fulton Police Department.
Capt. Helio Garcia's body arrives at church
The funeral service for South Fulton Police Department's Capt. Helio Garcia is taking place today at World Changers Church International. His body was carried into the church shortly before 10 a.m.
What they're saying:
"He was one of the first people to approach me and tell me he wanted to go with me to build this police department," South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows said. "He’s been an integral part in building it into what it is today."
Garcia leaves behind his wife, Eliana Garcia, and three children — Angelina Rosa Pittman, Nicolas Anthony Garcia, and Isabella Echeverri — as well as a son-in-law, Jacob Pittman. The couple also mourned the loss of their late son, Giovanni Armando Garcia.
After his death, his wife released the following statement:
"Helio was not only my husband — he was the love of my life and the steady heart of our family. He was a devoted father who loved his children… with all of his heart. He also shared a special bond with our son-in-law Jacob Pittman," Garcia's wife said.
"Helio loved his family and friends unconditionally. Losing Helio has left a hole in my heart," Captain Garcia's wife Eliana said.
"Your little princess loves you and will forever be grateful for the man she can call her father," Captain Garcia's daughter Isabella said.
Funeral service for fallen Captain Helio Garcia
Family, friends, and the law enforcement community said their final goodbyes to South Fulton Police Department Captain Helio Garcia. He lost his life in the line of duty last week.
"His people loved him a great deal. People loved working for him. We all loved him. I loved, loved him for the leader that he was," South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows said.
"I see here so many people that he must have touched. You don't know how proud he has made me today," Captain Garcia's father, Helio Garcia Junior, said.
What's next:
Capt. Garcia's body arrived at the church shortly before 10 a.m. Monday. A viewing was held between 10 a.m. and noon and the funeral service began at 1 p.m.
PREVIOUS STORIES
- South Fulton police officer killed in head-on crash, other driver identified
- City of South Fulton honors police officer killed in head-on collision
- Flags lowered to half-staff in honor of fallen South Fulton officer
- South Fulton rallies to help family of Capt. Helio Garcia after his tragic death
Garcia will be buried at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South & Woodlawn Park Cemetery South in Miami-Dade County, Florida, alongside his late son.