Beneath the American Flag at Russell Haven of Rest Funeral Home was a long and steady stream of blue and red lights.

Members of the community watched in awe as hundreds officers from around the state filled the cemetery -- a symbol of the unbreakable bond found between law enforcement officers, many who said they've never met fallen Clay County Detective David White, but were honored to come.

Local law enforcement, including members of the St. Johns County, Duval, Nassau and Putnam County sheriff's offices, said they didn't have to think long about whether they'd attend White's funeral because they've often worked closely with Clay County.

"I'd drop what I was doing in a heartbeat to come help another brother and law enforcement officer," said Sgt. Mark Ochkie, of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. "They're our friends, they're our family members and they're an asset not only to their own community, but also us and surrounding communities."

It wasn't just officers from northeast Florida who came to pay their respects. Ed Kaup, who works with the Chicago Police Department, attended the funeral.

"We're seeing more and more violent acts against police officers, unfortunately," Kaup said.

Kaup is part of a nonprofit group of officers who specifically travel the country when officers are killed in the line of duty. He said the narcotics division, which White was a part of, is typically violent.

"The job itself, you have to -- you see a lot of stuff, and you have to be able to rely on a lot of other people," Kaup said.

The officers said they know White leaves behind a family and children perhaps too young to fully understand what is going on. But they said they want his family to know they will be taken care of because that is what they said they would want for themselves.

"There's a bond that we have," Mark Elder, of the Florida Highway Patrol, said of law enforcement officers. "Where else can you go where you call for help and you have people from all walks of life, other agencies coming to help you out and risking their life to assist you?"

Community unites to remember fallen hero

Any time tragedy strikes, the Clay County community tends to come together to support the victims' families and each other.

They often show their true colors and character, and how much they care and love everyone around them.

And that really manifested itself at fallen Detective David White's viewing Sunday and funeral Monday, and at reception at Lake Asbury Junior High School that followed the service.

Signs all along Blanding Boulevard and U.S. Highway 17 in Clay County are up in honor of White. The flags are at half-staff all over. It's clear to see the community is concerned and in mourning.

"This is a tragedy, and it was something that these guys face every day," said Pete Stathopoulos, of Charles and George's Car Wash. "And they all go out knowing that this may happen. The rest of us need to honor what they've sacrificed."

The community has also united by making cards and flower arrangements. But the one place where all that love came together besides the funeral home and church was at the reception -- a place where the thousands of funeral-goers, many of whom are law enforcement, could gather and get a bite to eat.

It was a last minute gesture from those on the other side -- firefighters. They started Friday planning to feed at least 1,000 people, and the community quickly jumped in to help.

"The amount of people that came together and were able to get this task completed to get these people fed was amazing," said Lt. Will Padgett, of Clay County Fire Rescue.

Padgett said restaurants donated food and drinks, and lots of others chipped in as well, like those at the Middleburg Moose Family Center.