KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas City community remembered the life of fallen Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming during services Monday morning.
A funeral service for Ming started at 11 a.m. at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
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UPDATE, 5:50 p.m. | KSHB 41's JuYeon Kim compiled some of the memorable moments during the funeral for Deputy Ming.
UPDATE, 2:30 p.m. | After passing the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, the funeral procession concluded.
UPDATE, 2:20 p.m. | The Kansas City community came together to honor the life of Deputy Ming, lining the streets of downtown Kansas City, Kansas, while waiting for the funeral procession to pass.
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m. | Around 2 p.m., the area where the procession began cleared out as the procession headed toward downtown Kansas City, Kansas.
UPDATE, 2:10 p.m. | KSHB 41's Rachel Henderson said Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department firefighter/paramedic Graham Hoffman's father was holding a flag outside the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office. He said he wanted to attend because he understands what it's like to lose a loved one in the line of duty.
UPDATE, 2:05 p.m. | Once the procession kicked off, officers headed for Interstate 70.
UPDATE, 2 p.m. | The funeral procession began just outside Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
UPDATE, 1:30 p.m. | KSHB 41 anchors Taylor Hemness and Rae Daniel spotted the motorcycles lining up for the procession.
UPDATE, 1:25 p.m. | KSHB 41's Abby Dodge was inside the stadium during the service. She was still inside as the officers who attended filed out.
UPDATE, 1:20 p.m. | KSHB 41's Caroline Hogan checked in from the area where the procession will begin.
UPDATE, 1:15 p.m. | The final radio call for Deputy Ming, whose "courage and legacy will live on," was played during the recessional.
UPDATE, 1:10 p.m. | Officers honored Deputy Ming with a gun salute and "Taps."
UPDATE, 1:05 p.m. | Officiant Everett L. Fletcher encouraged the crowd to stand and clap to celebrate Ming's life.
UPDATE, 1 p.m. | Rev. Dr. Barry Settle offered words of comfort as he delivered the eulogy.
UPDATE, 12:55 p.m. | Rev. Rochelle Settle performed "Take Me to the King."
UPDATE, 12:50 p.m. | J.W. Jones Memorial Chapel staff shared the acknowledgments and condolences.
UPDATE, 12:45 p.m. | Miranda Ming, a representative for the Ming family, shared memories of Deputy Ming as a loving son, brother, husband and father.
UPDATE, 12:40 p.m. | Wyandotte County Sheriff Daniel Soptic said Deputy Ming "stood firm in his beliefs and convictions."
"He served with authority and compassion, which is exactly what I expect from every law enforcement officer," Soptic said.
UPDATE, 12:35 p.m. | Attendees were asked to take a moment to quietly reflect on Ming's life.
UPDATE, 12:30 p.m. | Continuing to honor Ming's love of music, Tiffany Ransey performed "I Can Only Imagine."
UPDATE, 12:25 p.m. | Scripture readings were selected from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
UPDATE, 12:20 p.m. | A saxophonist joined the officiant for a rendition of "The Lord's Prayer."
UPDATE, 12:10 p.m. | Deputy Ming loved music, so the pastor sang "Every Praise" with "joy and gratitude" in "celebration and love" of Ming.
UPDATE, 12:05 p.m. | Pastor Fletcher said Deputy Ming's life was "well-lived but was cut short."
UPDATE, 12 p.m. | Pastor Everett L. Fletcher, funeral officiant, shared several Bible passages while the family and officers filed in.
UPDATE, 11:35 a.m. |The service began with a bagpipe procession and the presentation of the colors.
UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. | Several law enforcement agencies from far and wide came to attend the funeral and pay their respects to Deputy Ming.
UPDATE, 10:45 a.m. | Pastor Everett L. Fletcher is the officiant for Monday’s services.
Several members of the community, close friends and a family representative are among those slated to give remembrances of Ming during the ceremony.
A law enforcement procession is planned at the conclusion of the services.
LINK | Funeral, procession to be held for fallen Wyandotte County Deputy Elijah Ming
Ming was born to Sonji and Mark Ming on Feb. 9, 1991, in Los Angeles. He was described as a “miracle baby” as he was delivered weighing one pound, nine ounces.
The Ming family relocated to Kansas City, Kansas, in 1993. Ming attended the Kansas City, Kansas, Public School District and graduated from F.L. Schagle High School in 2009. He was noted for his academics and athletics, lettering in football, baseball and wrestling.
After high school, he spent time at Wayne State University before earning an associate’s degree at Fort Scott Community College. While at Fort Scott, Ming played on two All-Star baseball teams in Hutchinson, Kansas, and Santa Ana, California. He also earned Homecoming King honors while at Fort Scott.
Ming met his eventual wife, Tiara, in middle school. The couple married in 2018 and had a son, Elijah II “Deuce.”
You can read more about Ming and his impact on the community in the link to our previous coverage.
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