KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One after another, friends and colleagues said their goodbyes on Wednesday to Michael Chou, who was killed in an accident last weekend in Kansas City, Mo., on his way home from work.
“Everyone who worked with or around Michael would tell you how professional and dedicated he was and how much he loved his career.”
“I will always cherish the privilege of knowing him, working with him, learning from him and, most of all, calling him my friend,” said Rob Blehm.
Others sat silent with hugs and tears just feet away from Chou’s flag-draped coffin.
It was a tough afternoon for those who worked with him everyday. They said he was one of the good guys and always wanted to be in law enforcement.
“When he was young, he watched police movies all the time,” said Andrew Chou, Michael’s father. “[He] wanted to be the good police man to catch the bad guys.”
Andrew spoke of his son’s love of travel. Early last year, Michael told the family to set aside time each year to get together.
“In early 2012, Michael said that our family should go on a family vacation once a year since we were all separated. He arranged our first, also the last family trip to Cairo, Egypt in June 2012,” his father said.
Photos from that trip were among dozens on a giant screen. As the photos changed, so did those saying goodbye, including acting Police Chief Patty Higgins, who addressed the Chou family directly.
“You’ve been his family for 29 years. We’ve been his extended family for two years and we knew the Michael that you knew,” Higgins said.
In a fitting tribute, Michael’s father said the final goodbye to his 29-year-old son.
“Michael, we love you so much. You have worked [an] incredible journey in your short life. Please rest in peace.”
