Thousands of members of the public and representatives from law enforcement agencies attended the Tuesday morning funeral service in Portland for Detective Ben Campbell of the Maine State Police.
The service at the Cross Insurance Arena comes nearly a week after a wheel that detached from a logging truck on Interstate 95 in Hampden struck Campbell as he helped a driver whose car had spun off the snowy highway.
#CampbellMSP This is so sad. Very many somber faces. pic.twitter.com/y4kYNOoSmT
— Nick Sambides Jr. (@NickSam2BDN) April 9, 2019
A procession of state police vehicles on Monday brought Campbell’s body from Millinocket, where he lived with his wife, Hilary, and 6-month-old son, Everett, to Portland for the service.
At least 18 law enforcement agencies from all across Maine and New England, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and U.S. Coast Guard, came to Portland to pay their respects to the fallen state police detective.
“He understood just because he was arresting someone did not mean that person was a career criminal,” said Col John Cote of the Maine State Police.“His constant smile, genuine compassion for people and his respect for them was evident to those he dealt with.”
Read the Bangor Daily News’ coverage of the accident that killed Campbell and details on Tuesday’s service.
What to know about Detective Ben Campbell’s funeral in Portland
Clifton man, 25, was the driver Maine State Police detective was helping when he died
Detective’s funeral set for Tuesday as family, co-workers get grief support
Key question about Detective Campbell’s death: Why did wheels detach from logging trailer?
First responders pay respects to Maine State Police Detective Ben Campbell
Detective killed on I-95 would always ‘see the good in people’
State police detective fatally struck by truck tire on I-95 in Hampden in ‘bizarre’ accident