Falling snow and freezing rain didn't stop them. The cold weather is nothing compared to the pain people in Harford County are feeling.
For seven hours Monday, there was a steady stream mourners at the Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Md.
Folks pouring in from across the area and out of state to pay their respects to Senior Deputy Patrick 'Pat' Dailey.
"We're sick in our hearts, we're just beside ourselves," said Robert Nicholson. "We're very sad."
"Horrible, just a horrible tragedy," Ed Wimmer said.
Ed and Joanne Wimmer are just two of the thousands of people coming together to comfort each other, and process the loss of 52-year-old Dailey.
"He will be missed in the community deeply," said Joanne Wimmer. "Best guy you would ever want to meet, just a good person."
"I've been a member of Joppa Magnolia for over 20 years and I've known Patrick over 20 years, I know his children and his whole family, he's a great father and a great guy all around," Ed said.
Dailey was gunned down last Wednesday after responding to a call at the Panera Bread in Abingdon. Officers say the suspect, 68-year-old David Evans, ran out of the restaurant then shot and killed a second Sheriff's Deputy, Mark Logsdon.
Since the tragedy, a memorial outside the eatery continues to grow. Piles of flowers and cards left by many people who didn't even know the men, but say they are heroes.
"It's a shame that it takes a tragedy to bring out so much of the good that were seeing," Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said. "Obviously nothing good can come of something like this, but the good that were seeing, the way the community feels about the men and women who are out there putting their life on the line for them."
Dailey served 30-years with the Harford County Sheriff's office, and was a lifetime member of the Joppa Magnolia Fire Department.
"The Joppa Magnolia Fire Company adopted my family when my son was stricken with leukemia, and I know Patrick was a member at Joppa Magnolia, as well as Tyler and Brian," Nicholson said. "And we find ourselves on the flip side of the coin now where we want to serve and to see our brothers down from a tragedy like this, we just felt it in our hearts to come out."
A second visitation for Dailey is set for Tuesday, February 16th at the Mountain Christian Church from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. His funeral will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Viewings for Logsdon will be held at the Mountain Christian Church Thursday, February 18, and Friday, February 19, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. His funeral is at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 20, at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena at Harford Community College.
The Panera Bread in Abingdon will open Tuesday for the first time since Wednesday Feb. 10.
