Community gathers to pay respects to KCKPD Ofc. Hunter Simoncic

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The community gathered Wednesday morning to pay their final respects to Kansas City, Kansas, Police Ofc. Hunter Simoncic, who died in the line of duty late last month.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. at Children's Mercy Park.

Following the funeral, members of law enforcement honored Simoncic with a procession through Kansas City, Kansas.

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UPDATE, 2:20 p.m. | KSHB 41 gathered some of the most memorable, moving moments from Ofc. Simoncic's funeral. You can watch below.

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m. | Community members and KCK/Wyandotte County leaders lined downtown Kansas City, Kansas, as the procession for Ofc. Hunter Simoncic passed through.

KCK native Sarah Plake said she was not surprised to see such an outpouring of support, as the tight-knit community is known for showing up for one another.

UPDATE, 1:30 p.m. | As part of serving his community, fallen KCKPD Ofc. Hunter Simoncic volunteered to read to students at Banneker Elementary School. Children at the school paid tribute to him as his procession passed by Wednesday.

UPDATE, 1:10 p.m. | Just after 1 p.m., KSHB 41's Rae Daniel reported the procession for Ofc. Simoncic had begun.

UPDATE, 12:25 p.m. | KSHB 41's Rae Daniel provided a look from outside Children's Mercy Park after the funeral, where bystanders were beginning to gather for the procession.

UPDATE, 12:20 p.m. | Funeral attendees filed out as preparations for the procession began.

UPDATE, 12:15 p.m. | The ceremonial conclusion of Ofc. Simoncic's funeral included the pallbearers carrying out the casket.

UPDATE, 12:10 p.m. | Bagpipers performed "Amazing Grace" as the ceremony to honor Ofc. Hunter Simoncic began to wind down.

UPDATE, 12:05 p.m. | The last call for Ofc. Hunter Simoncic was played inside Children's Mercy Park.

UPDATE, 12 p.m. | Professional honors were rendered by the KCKPD Honor Guard and associated agencies.

UPDATE, 11:55 a.m. | A second tribute video was played to honor the life of Ofc. Simoncic.

UPDATE, 11:50 a.m. | Pastor George Kemper serves as the head chaplain/president of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police and Fire Chaplains Association. He spoke about the life and legacy of Ofc. Hunter Simoncic.

UPDATE, 11:45 a.m. | KCKPD Det. Danon Vaughn performed "Amazing Grace."

UPDATE, 11:40 a.m. | The final reflection was delivered by Ofc. Hunter Simoncic's close friend Sarah Latham, who said the two met when they were teenagers.

"I knew that Hunter was special from the moment I met him," she said.

UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. | The second reflection was given by Greenwood County Deputy Blake Fisher.

"Ofc. Hunter Simoncic was more than just a law enforcement officer; he was a protector, a mentor, a beacon of hope for someone in their darkest moments. Most importantly, Hunter was a true friend," Fisher said.

UPDATE, 11:25 a.m. | Three reflections were given by friends of Ofc. Hunter Simoncic. The first was given by Steven Jennings.

"Hunter was a man who showed up. He showed up for his friends, he showed up for his community, and he showed up for life with the kind of energy that left you better for having been around him," Jennings said.

UPDATE, 11:20 a.m. | Funeral attendees were encouraged to read the obituary of Ofc. Hunter Simoncic during an extended moment of silence.

"His dedication, courage, and compassion quickly became evident to both his colleagues and the community he served," one line of the program shared.

UPDATE, 11:15 a.m. | An early life video tribute with photos of young Ofc. Hunter Simoncic was shown during the ceremony.

UPDATE, 11:10 a.m. | KCKPD Chief Karl Oakman said Ofc. Simoncic was "so more than the badge he wore." He said Hunter was invaluable to the community as a police officer and in his volunteer work.

"Hunter was a good person; his family are good people. And they did not deserve this," Oakman said.

UPDATE, 11 a.m. | Fraternal Order of Police President Kyle Hickerson spoke highly of Ofc. Simoncic's "drive, determination and discipline," as well as his "rare ability to make people feel seen, supported and cared for."

"But beyond the badge and beyond the workouts, and beyond the drive and the determination, Hunter was someone who was loved deeply and deeply loved," Hickerson said.

UPDATE, 10:55 a.m. | Rev. Daniel Freeman, a chaplain with KCKFD, was the hospital chaplain who received Ofc. Simoncic's family. He read Psalm 23 and offered a prayer at the funeral.

UPDATE, 10:45 a.m. | Chaplain Jared Altic said he served as Ofc. Hunter Simoncic's chaplain at the police department — teaching him at the police academy, attending his first role call as a rookie and accompanying him on calls for service many times.

"Now, I stand here with you, his friends and fellow officers, burdened by the heartbreak of this sudden and unexpected loss," Altic said.

UPDATE, 10:35 a.m. | Bagpipers performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before exiting the field.

UPDATE, 10:30 a.m. | Family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers from across Kansas and Missouri filed into their seats.

UPDATE, 10:25 a.m. | Timothy Lemanske, Brandon Flowers, Elijah Lovell, Keith Willis, Blake Owen and Connor Lindberg served as the pallbearers.

UPDATE, 10:20 a.m. | The funeral for Ofc. Hunter Simoncic began with the presentation of the colors by Kansas City-area authorities.

UPDATE, 9:55 a.m. | KSHB 41's Rae Daniel saw law enforcement vehicles from across the metro parked outside Children's Mercy Park ahead of the funeral for Ofc. Simoncic. Some of the agencies represented include Raytown, Platte County, Merriam, Westwood and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

UPDATE, 9:50 a.m. | The funeral program for Ofc. Hunter Simoncic describes him as a person who was "energetic, adventurous and full of life."

"Above all, Hunter will be remembered for his kind spirit, his love of family, and his unwavering devotion to serving others both in and out of uniform," the program read.

UPDATE, 9:25 a.m. | KSHB 41 News anchor Rae Daniel is outside Children's Mercy Park, where the community and first responders from across the Kansas City area are gathering ahead of services that are scheduled to start at 10 a.m.