Emotional Tribute During Fallen San Jose Officer's Motorcade
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Police, family and South Bay residents paid their respects as a procession honoring Officer Michael Katherman took the fallen officer from San Jose to a Los Gatos funeral home.
Officer Michael Katherman, 34, was struck by a silver minivan while on patrol Tuesday afternoon on North 10th Street and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital a short time later, police said.
Katherman was in a casket draped with the American flag carried by a handful of officers, who placed him into a hearse from the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office in San Jose just before 1 p.m.
Police stood at attention and saluted as the family of Katherman passed.
Hundreds of officers and dozens of civilians gathered on the sidewalks to pay their respects.
"It's incredible all the sadness we are going through right now," said Paula Mogliolo of San Jose. "But hopefully this will show the men and women of the police department and the sheriff's department how they do have support for what they do."
Fifteen police motorcycles led the procession that also included numerous police cars along a route that went down South Bascom Avenue and East Hamilton Avenue in Campbell before continuing south on state Highway 17.
Some residents could be seen along the route, tearfully saluting the procession with hands held over their hearts.
Along the way, many fire trucks and police vehicles blocked traffic as personnel saluted the passing motorcade. The roughly 20-minute procession ended at the Darling & Fischer Chapel of the Hills funeral home in Los Gatos.
Katherman's funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at SAP Center in downtown San Jose.
He had been on a department motorcycle while heading up North 10th Street, where he was hit by a southbound minivan that was making a left turn at Horning Street, police said.
The minivan driver stayed at the scene, cooperated with investigators and wasn't arrested, according to police.
Cement truck driver Dan Sullivan was one of two Good Samaritans who used the officer's police radio to call for help while trying to revive the officer with CPR.
"When I saw the collision and saw the officer and the bike down...I was out of my truck in two seconds," remembered Sullivan. "We proceeded to just go into action. One guy was on the radio. he handed me the radio. I was on the radio. I tried to speak to the officer and...
He suddenly broke off, wiping away tears and unable to finish his sentence.
Sullivan -- who is the brother of a San Jose cop -- told KPIX 5 he has had a hard time emotionally ever since.
"I just want to send my condolences to the wife of Officer Mike and his kids," said Sullivan.
A growing memorial outside police headquarters is filled with flowers, notes, candles and a white department motorcycle in tribute to the fallen officer.
Katherman, who is survived by his wife and two children, served with the Police Department for 11 years.
The San Jose Police Officers' Association has organized a fund benefiting Katherman's family. Donations can be made online or by mail to 1151 N. Fourth St., San Jose, CA 95112.
Anyone with information on the collision is asked to call police Detective Kelvin Pham at (408) 277-4654. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867.
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