Friends and family pay their respects to officer Matt Tyner.
 / Courtesy: KOAA
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It was an emotional day Tuesday for the Colorado Springs Police Department as they honor one of their own.
Officer Matt Tyner was killed in the line of duty July 24. He died from his injuries after a crash with a SUV.
Tyner spent 13 years on the force in Colorado Springs and worked as a resource officer and training academy instructor.
"Matt just gonna say see you around because someday we're going to be together again," Officer Mike Singels with the Colorado Springs Police Department said.
With black bands on their badges and a room full of peace officers, family and friends said their final goodbye to the 42-year-old officer.
Tyner was the epitome of what it means to be in law enforcement: efficient, skilled, conscientious and an all-around good guy.
"He stopped a female driver and wrote her a speeding ticket only to realize it was her birthday. The driver was beside herself and Matt, feeling bad, asked if he could sing Happy Birthday, which he did, and it made her day," Chief of Police Pete Carey said.
The auditorium was completely quiet as one after another locals spoke of the legendary officer taken too soon.
Carey reminded the audience of the power to communicate without words and the impact their presence has had on Tyner's family.
"It's been a tough summer for Colorado and for Colorado Springs in particular, and it seems that one thing gets piled on top of the next, and yet the one thing that's been there for all of us that has really helped us collectively are our first responders," Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia said.
Tyner served 13 years on the Colorado Springs Police Department his friends said it was a job he loved and had a passion for.
Tyner's love of adventure was evident when he often told people, "Don't be afraid of dying, be afraid of not living."