ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Thousands of law enforcement officers filled a church and more stood outside Friday to mourn Sgt. Thomas Baitinger and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz, the two St. Petersburg police officers shot and killed by a fugitive while helping serve a warrant.
More than 10,000 people are at the morning funeral at First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The two officers were killed Monday trying to roust Hydra Lacy Jr., from his hiding place in the attic of his St. Petersburg home. The 39-year-old Lacy opened fire on officers who went up in the attic after him. Lacy also was killed in the gunfight.
The officers' friends and colleagues talked about the men Friday morning in front of the church. Some, like St. Petersburg Police Maj. Michael Kovacsev, have investigated countless homicides — yet this tragedy has affected them profoundly.
"I am out of tears," said Major Michael Kovacsev. "It's hurting beyond words."
Sgt. Patrice Hubbard knew both officers and has 6 kids of her own. Sgt Hubbard said she feels for the widows. "I can leave here and go home to my family. But they go home without a husband. Without a father. It's tough. "
One group of four officers, including former St. Petersburg Police Major Tom Carey, drove 22 hours from Rhone Island to be at today's service.
The entire St. Petersburg community mourned. Businesses wrote condolences on signs, a local TV station carried the funeral live and some residents went to the service in person.
"I feel like it was important to show support for the police," said Priscilla Jenkins, 31, who watched the funeral from the church parking lot, where big-screen televisions broadcast the ceremony inside. Jenkins brought her 4-year-old son so she could teach him a lesson to "respect authority and to be a good person."
Yaslowitz, a 38-year-old K-9 officer who had qualified for SWAT duty, leaves behind a wife; two sons, ages 12 and 5; and his 8-year-old daughter. He was an 11-year veteran of the force who loved major league baseball's Boston Red Sox.
His wife, Lorraine Yaslowitz, gave an interview Thursday morning on WFLZ-FM's MJ Morning Show radio program with host Todd "MJ" Schnitt. Lorraine Yaslowitz, a kindergarten teacher, was pulled out of her classroom when the shootings happened and driven to the hospital, where her husband was pronounced dead.
"I talk to him all the time," she told the station. "I miss him and I love him more than anyone can love a human being."
She said the last time she and her children saw him, Yaslowitz fired up the emergency lights on his St. Petersburg police SUV so his wife and son could watch from inside.
Baitinger, a 48-year-old Wisconsin native, started his law enforcement career in that state before joining the St. Petersburg department in 1996. He was remembered as a caring supervisor and good friend with a quirky sense of humor. He was an enthusiastic Green Bay Packers fan and was celebrating their win in Sunday's NFL playoff game. He is survived by his wife.
The killings are the latest in a series of law enforcement deaths in Florida. Two officers in Miami were killed by a murder suspect earlier this month. And two Tampa officers were killed last July while making a traffic stop.