She just had a few things to say to her late husband and when Melissa Styles finally took the podium at Const. Garrett Styles' funeral service, the words came rushing out, broken only by the sound of her occasional sobs.

"We always told each other I love you to bits and pieces and that's never been more true. Right now I'm in pieces but I'll pull myself back together for our children," she said.

The couple's young children -- two-and-a-half-year-old Meredith and 10-week-old Nolan -- sat steps away from their mother in the front pew held lovingly close by other family members.

"Thank you so much for making me a mother and giving me something to hold on to now that you're gone," she said through her tears. "They'll be reminded every day how much you love them."

"I was proud of you every day and I hope I told you that enough," she said.

The crowd inside the Ray Twinney complex in Newmarket rose to their feet, giving her a solemn round of applause.

More than 7,000 police officers, family members and fellow emergency personnel and strangers gathered inside and outside the Newmarket community centre to honour the fallen York Regional Police officer who was killed in the line of duty last week.

The crowd included about 270 members of Styles' extended family, many of whom also work for the police service.

To view a photo gallery of the day's most touching moments, click here.

In his remarks to mourners, YRP Chief Eric Jolliffe said Styles was dedicated to policing and keeping everyone safe.

"He was well-liked among his colleagues and was a leader on his platoon," Jolliffe said. "He was a team player, level-headed in the face of adversity and led by example.

"The feeling of shock and dismay we all experienced ... quickly turned to grief and anguish," Jolliffe said of the moment his officers learned of Styles' death. "The impact on his family and our members, both sworn and civilian, is difficult to bear."

Like every police officer, Styles voluntarily took on a lifetime of risk because of his desire to do good in the world, Jolliffe said.

"Garrett was a hero but his most heroic act was not the day he was taken from us," he said. "His most heroic act was the day he embraced this profession and willingly accepted a lifetime of risk for the good of his community."

Premier Dalton McGuinty, among the dignitaries in attendance, offered his condolences to Styles' family.

"Garrett's destiny was to help people by serving them as a police officer," McGuinty said. "He was courageous and compassionate."

Styles embodied selfless service: chaplain

Styles died after he was dragged and pinned under a minivan during a traffic stop north of Toronto on June 28.

The 32-year-old officer, who was working alone, stopped the van's driver for speeding on Highway 48 in East Gwillimbury.

Despite being pinned, Styles was able to radio for assistance and request medical care for the van's injured occupants.

"Not once, not twice but three times Const. Styles communicated his concern for the welfare of the occupants of the van that was on top of him," McGuinty said. "That is character. Good character. Strong character."

Speaking first and leading mourners through prayer, Rev. Vicki Cousins, YRP's chaplain, said Styles embodied selfless service with integrity and professionalism

"Garrett is the one we all want to have in our corner. His life made this world a better and a kinder place," Cousins said.

As the sound of bagpipes filled the community centre, Styles' family walked behind his flag-draped casket as it was carried by six pallbearers. As the casket was set down, a large portrait of Styles, smiling and wearing his police uniform, was placed in front of it.

About 3,000 seats inside the complex were reserved for Styles' family, friends, colleagues, police officers and other emergency personnel. A large screen was set up outside to allow the overflow crowd to watch.

Sea of blue

But before the funeral service began, a large police procession marched down Yonge Street towards Ray Twinney.

Behind a colour guard and marching band, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and correctional officers from across North America showed their solidarity by marching in a procession along Yonge Street, between Kingston Road and Eagle Street.

In a sea of blue, police officers - representing the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police and agencies as far away as Vancouver and Ohio - and the other participants marched shoulder-to-shoulder. Some wiped away tears.

At one point, the only sound that filled the air was that of the officers' shoes or boots hitting the pavement.

The procession stopped at Eagle, where it split into two lines and was joined by a motorcade, which included a hearse carrying Styles' body, vehicles carrying his family and about 60 police motorcycles. The procession then moved to the complex.

Police Const. Kevin Ban, Styles' co-worker and close friend, carried Styles' police hat into the complex as fellow YRP officers formed an honour guard to salute Styles' family, including his wife, daughter and son, who was bundled up in a removable car seat.

In another tribute, a YRP vehicle bearing number 1405, Styles' badge number, is being put into service after the memorial service.

People gather along route

Standing in silence, people gathered along the route to pay their respects to Styles. Two children held up signs, reading "Thank you Styles family, York cops are tops," as the officers marched by. Another child held a sign reading "Thank you for serving and protecting us."

York Child Development and Family Services brought a group of 28 children from a day camp to the route.

"By bringing them here today we're hoping to let them see that the community comes together when tragedy occurs," said Ruth Houston.

Paul, one of the children, said Styles' death has left him feeling sad.

"I hope that he is going to heaven," Paul said.

Trust fund

Styles comes from a police family. His dad Gary, a retired YRP staff sergeant, wore a police uniform at the memorial service. Styles' wife is a YRP civilian employee and his cousin is a YRP officer.

Styles was a seven-year veteran of the police service and would have celebrated his 33rd birthday last Sunday.

Friends and colleagues described him as a devoted father and a dedicated police officer who was well liked. Away from work, he devoted his time to his wife and kids and enjoyed trips to the family cottage and fishing, friends said.

Before his death, Styles passed an exam and was scheduled to be promoted to the rank of sergeant.

A trust fund has been set up for Styles' family in the name of his wife, Melissa Styles, at the Police Credit Union at 18025 Yonge St. in Newmarket.

The account number is 2000014 and the transit number is 63612.

Cheques should be made payable to "In Trust for Melissa Styles," police said.

Cheques can be mailed to the credit union. Deposits can also be made at any branch of the Police Credit Union.

Growing memorials

In the last week, memorials have been set up by strangers at the scene of the fatal incident and outside the York Regional Police 1 District headquarters in Newmarket, where Styles was based.

People have left bouquets of flowers, stuffed animals and cards with heartfelt messages to pay their respects to Styles' family and colleagues.

This is the second time this year police officers from across North America have gathered in the Toronto area to pay tribute to a fallen colleague.

In January, thousands of people attended a memorial service for Toronto police Sgt. Ryan Russell, who died when he was struck by a stolen snowplow.

Meanwhile, the 15-year-old boy who is charged with first-degree murder in Styles' death is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday. He was seriously injured in the incident.

To leave a message of condolence for Styles' family, friends and colleagues, click here.