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Funeral Held For Officer Shot To Death By Other Officers

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Funeral services were held Wednesday for the Baltimore City police officer killed by friendly fire outside of a downtown nightclub.

Derek Valcourt reports William Torbit Jr. received full police honors.

Law enforcement officers from around the state turned out to pay tribute to Torbit, who is being remembered as one of the best cops on the beat.

A horse-drawn carriage brought Torbit's body to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, one of the few area churches big enough to accommodate the large number of officers who came to pay tribute to one of their own.

"He was a gentleman, very nice, personable, loved his job.  It's just real sad," said co-worker Officer Amy Thomas.

Torbit died Jan. 9 outside of the Select Lounge nightclub where witnesses say he fired his gun during a scuffle with bar patrons.  Other officers responding to the scene shot Torbit 20 times, apparently not recognizing him because he was in plainclothes.  The incident, which is still under investigation, is a heartbreak to friends like Eric Dodson, who came to the funeral.

"He's a good dude, always pleasant.  It's a tragedy what happened to him," said Dodson.  "You got two people that's gone for you, don't know why."

At his funeral, the officer was remembered for how he lived, not how he died.  He was one of nine children in a close-knit family.  As a police officer, he's credited with changing many lives, especially in the Upton community, where he often patrolled.

"He was a great guy, well-respected," said co-worker Officer Neyland Bond.

Police say their investigation into the shooting that killed Torbit won't be completed for another week and a half.

Torbit was laid to rest at Arbutus Memorial Park Cemetery.

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