Hundreds Attend Funeral For Fallen Officer

Officers stood at attention and saluted, students had their hands over their hearts, and motorists pulled over to watch the procession.

Each person was paying tribute to El Paso Police officer Karl McDonough, who was killed on duty last week when his patrol car was struck by a suspected drunk driver.

About 1,000 people, including officers from local, state, and federal law enforcement, attended McDonough’s funeral at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in East El Paso and his burial at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

After McDonough’s funeral, students at Montwood Middle School, which is near St. Mark’s, came out for a touching tribute.

Students and teachers stood in silence with their hands over their hearts as the procession drove by on its way to Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

The procession to Fort Bliss National Cemetery was led by a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety. As the procession traveled down Loop 375, drivers on the opposite side of the road pulled over to pay their respects.

Forty officers from McDonough’s shift stood by while his family arrived at the cemetery, including his wife Rebecca, his four children, his parents, and his patrol partner Ricardo Lopez.

Lopez is recovering from injuries suffered in the crash and used a cane to help him walk.

A priest spoke briefly to those in attendance.

As El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen presented the family with an American flag, “Amazing Grace” was played on bagpipes.

Family members overcome with emotion could be heard sobbing in the background.

Those he worked with said the graveyard shift is a very tightknit and that McDonough’s death is a tragic loss.

His supervisor said he was an exemplary officer.

“He took care of business… (he was an) ideal officer,” his supervisor, Sgt. Arturo Arias said.

McDonough was killed nearly a week ago after investigators say a 19-year-old suspected drunken driver slammed into the patrol unit McDonough and his partner were in. According to court documents, Alejandro Fierro admitted he had been drinking and ran a red light at Saul Kleinfeld Dr. and Zaragoza Rd. when he slammed into the police unit McDonough was in.

The El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association has set up an account for the McDonough family.

You can donate to that account at any GECU Branch.