Hundreds lined the streets as a hearse transferred his body from the coroner’s office to a funeral home in Aurora. Many put their hands over their hearts and some held American flags. Many public security vehicles joined the procession.
Also on Wednesday, Talley’s patrol vehicle was parked in front of the police station. It quickly became a sanctuary when mourners stopped throughout the day to stack flowers, wreaths, cards and other symbols around and on top of it.
John Sullivan said he was thinking about Talley’s wife and seven children.
“I’m wondering how his family will survive without him for the rest of their lives and I wish them the strength to face it,” said Sullivan.
“Because when you suddenly lose someone, there may be some things you were unable to say that you would like to say, and some things that you were unable to do and wanted to do.”
Deborah Greene said she was thinking about Talley’s family.
“How many more police officers need to face a madman with a gun?” Deborah Greene said. “These lawmakers don’t do anything. I know it’s a policeman’s job to run into danger, but shouldn’t we make the world safer for them?”
Mayor Sam Weaver said he spoke on the phone on Wednesday with President Joe Biden and they discussed Talley.
“He started by expressing his condolences and sympathy for the victims. He particularly called Officer Talley for his heroism,” Weaver told CNN’s Pamela Brown. “He asked what he could do for Boulder. I told him that with regard to what we will need to take care of in the coming days and weeks, we have probably already done this here in the city and in the region. “
Further vigils will be held on Wednesday in Boulder. Law enforcement officers held a vigil on Monday night when Talley’s body was removed from the supermarket.
Talley has been part of the Boulder police force since 2010, said Chief Maris Herold. He was the first Boulder police officer killed on the job since 1994.
Herold said Talley was “willing to die to protect others” and incorporated “everything that policing deserves and needs”.