First Baptist Church of Jonesboro was filled to capacity Thursday for the funeral of slain Clayton County sheriff's Deputy Richard "Rick" Daly, who was remembered as a faithful law enforcment officer and family man.
"My entire life I wanted to be like him," said his son, Toby Daly, who followed in his father's footsteps and is a lieutenant with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
The oldest of six children, Rick Daly was remembered for the care he took of his younger siblings and his other family members.
The main auditorium of First Baptist Church of Jonesboro was filled to capacity at 2,100, with law enforcement officers from across the South taking up half of the congregation. Police officers from neighboring departments lined the entrance to the church as did members of the Patriot Guard.
“Let's let his sacrifice motivate us to be better, strong and more dedicated to the mission we serve," Clayton Sheriff Kem Kimbrough said. "If we do those things then this day will not be a tragedy. It will have meaning.”
Kimbrough said he has had many calls from other sheriffs and from police chiefs. “We are all one blood,” Kimbrough said, “and that blood is blue.”
Daly, 55,was gunned down July 20 after he and other deputies stopped a car to serve a warrant on 17-year-0ld Jonathan Bun, who was wanted on armed robbery and assault charges. As Daly approached the vehicle, Bun allegedly shot the 25-year veteran law enforcement officer twice.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and two children, Toby Daly and Amber Wright.
“We're sad today for Ricky's family," Minister Dr. Daryl Hayes told the congregation. "A senseless and, as one deputy said, evil act’ has taken place and taken him away from us.”
Daly was buried at Moody's Memorial Park on Highway 19 North in Zebulon, the deputy’s hometown.
“He's in heaven today, in the presence of God, because he trusted in Jesus Christ,” said Dr. Joe Arthur, pastor of Harvest Baptist Church, told the congregation.
- AJC photographer Jason Getz and Channel 2 Action News contributed to this report.
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