Thousands expected to attend funeral for fallen Hayward officer
HAYWARD (BCN and KTVU) - Thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral services for Sgt. Scott Lunger with Hayward Police Thursday at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
The service is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. with gates will opening at 9 a.m.
Lunger, 48, a 15-year veteran of the department who lived in Brentwood, was shot near Myrtle and Lion streets in Hayward at about 3:15 a.m. on July 22 after he and another officer stopped a white Chevrolet Silverado truck that police said was swerving and almost struck parked cars.
Police said Lunger, who was pronounced dead at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley a short time later, was shot without warning as he approached the driver's side of the vehicle.
Mark Estrada, a 21-year-old Oakland man, was arrested after the shooting and is charged with murder and the special circumstances of murdering a peace officer during the course of his duties, committing a murder while lying in wait and committing a murder by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle.
On Wednesday night, deputies from Alameda County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol are already helping Hayward Police.
At 6 p.m. sheriff's deputies and CHP officers rolled out to patrol the streets of Hayward and respond to 911 calls. They are working in place of Hayward police officers until 6 a.m. Friday.
Deputy J.D. Stewart is among the many law enforcement officers who volunteered to help Hayward Police so that the entire department can attend Thursday's funeral.
"He's a SWAT member. I'm a SWAT member and we've both been in our agency for 15 years. It's kind of a brotherhood we have," said Deputy Stewart. A brotherhood shared when they met during SWAT and basic training.
They also worked together during joint agency operations. Stewart says he wants to honor his brother in blue by patrolling the same streets.
"It kind of hits you hard. You realize the dangers that we face," said Deputy Stewart.
Wednesday's viewing at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward was open to the public.
After attending the viewing, Police Chief Diane Urban became emotional when she spoke about Sgt. Lunger's two daughters. "They are remarkable. They are beautiful inside and out. They're doing what everyone else is doing... one moment at a time... one breath at a time," said Chief Urban.
For the funeral, Oracle Arena will open its gates to the public at 9 a.m., one hour before the ceremony is scheduled to start.
Law enforcement from all over the country will be attending.
"It is absolutely unfathomable that something like this can happen in our community," said Chief Urban.
She is inviting the public to line the streets to salute Sgt. Lunger and attend the funeral.
"He liked it big and bold and that is exactly how we intend to do it tomorrow," said Chief Urban. She says up to 8,000 people are expected at Oracle Arena.
Sgt. Scott Lunger will be buried at Union Cemetery in Brentwood in a private ceremony.
Gov. Jerry Brown's office said Brown is expected to be among the dignitaries who will be attending the service for Lunger.
We'll be streaming funeral live on air and online.