DEVORE, Calif. (KTLA) — Thousands attended an emotional final farewell on Thursday for San Bernardino sheriff’s Detective Jeremiah MacKay.
MacKay, 35, was killed in a gun battle with rogue former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner last week in Big Bear.
The motorcade from the mortuary in San Bernardino to the San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore stretched for miles.
Thousands of cops and civilians from three states came to pay their respects to MacKay, who was a 14-year veteran of the sheriff’s department.
It was a ceremony fit for a hero, with an honor guard, a riderless horse, a massive helicopter flyover and, of course, MacKay’s beloved bagpipes.
Co-workers said it was fitting that MacKay had spent the day before he died with his wife, Lynette, his daughter, 6-year-old Kaitlyn, and his 4-month-old son, Cayden.
“Lynette expressed her gratitude that her children were able to spend Monday with Jeremiah, because Tuesday he did not come home,” said San Bernardino Sheriff John McMahon.
For days before that respite, MacKay had been patrolling in the mountains where he had grown up, searching for the fugitive Christopher Dorner.
MacKay had volunteered for the task, McMahon said, adding that he had approached the manhunt with “courage, tenacity and resolve.”
McMahon said MacKay was at a “tremendous disadvantage” during the gunfight, but that he “remained because it was his duty … to place his life at risk to stop an evil man.”
Close friend and fellow deputy Roger Loftis spoke about MacKay’s desire to find and confront Dorner during his murderous crime spree against cops and their families.
“Jeremiah told me sometime back that he was going to catch that guy. Last time I talked to him, he told me that. And he did,” Loftis said.
MacKay graduated from sheriff’s trainee to deputy sheriff on his 21st birthday. He later was promoted to detective, and was most recently stationed in Yucaipa.
MacKay was remembered as a “cop’s cop” with an infectious sense of humor.
Colleagues said he won the office ugly Christmas sweater contest and carried a pink Hello Kitty lunch bag. He was said to have the distinctive “laugh of someone who truly enjoyed life.”
Three times, speakers referred to the Bible verse John 15:13: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
McMahon said that MacKay “truly died so that others did not have to.”
His father, Alan MacKay, described his son as a protector who “wanted to intervene when somebody was hurting somebody else.”
“I think the reason Jeremiah was taken home… was that heaven needed a training officer,” he said.
“I trust in the Lord, because I know that I will see my son again,” he reflected. “See you later, Jeremiah.”
89 Comments to “Deputy Jeremiah MacKay Remembered for Bravery and Humor”
February 21, 2013 at 6:12 AM
Hey there spam feller where kan I find 0ne 0f them thar computarses? XP
February 21, 2013 at 6:42 AM
Thankyou Officer MacKay for serving the community and giving the Ultimate sacrifice for us.
Respects.
February 21, 2013 at 4:24 PM
RIP Detective MACKAY. Also, my friend ALEX COLLINS, the Deputy still in the hospital. They are both American HEROS. Alex is fighting hard and will be for a long time. They new what they were going up against and did not back down. They paid a high cost in blood and pain. We must never forget what they did for us. Keep fighting Alex, we're very proud of both of you and all the other deputies and officers who fought evil with you.
February 21, 2013 at 6:56 AM
As I see how much of a lost this Deputy was to his community and family, it angers me to hear or see all these idiots showing support for Dorner! Most of the people that support what Dorner did don't have any idea what paying the ultimate sacrifice and service to country or public service really means. RIP Deputy Mackay.
February 21, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Public Service? – Get real. The cops serve themselves. Karma hurts doesn't it. This guy died because of inadequate training. Laid to rest. Give me a break.
February 21, 2013 at 7:56 AM
You probably have a booking number associated with your name. Playstation 3 doesn't make you an expert in training Chas I mean Chick
February 21, 2013 at 9:07 AM
You are absolutely disgusting. I'm sure when your sorry ass finds yourself in trouble you will be the first to expect officers to help you. He died at the hand of a coward and not from inadequate training. If Karma hurts then you in for a world of hurt from that comment. I have friends and famlly morning this loss today and I am thankful the ones I love that were up there were not hurt. They put themselves in harms way everyday becuause someone has to protect loser cowards like yourself.
February 21, 2013 at 10:21 AM
He is right. Dorner is a hero. I am Caucasian AND somewhat racist by the way.
February 21, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Like attention much?
February 21, 2013 at 7:29 PM
YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE!
February 21, 2013 at 8:01 PM
FUCK YOU.
February 21, 2013 at 8:25 AM
it is tragic that this officer was killed, but it is infuriating to see all the wasted tax dollars being spent on company time and company vehicles. Cops love playing with house money, even the fire dept and borders patrol is getting involved. I am not singling out police, this goes for fire, city, state, and federal employees. Before you I hear your rants about not knowing anything and not paying taxes, FYI I am self employed and employ 16 people.
February 21, 2013 at 8:51 AM
SO….What the hell does that have to do with us showing RESPECT to a man that was murdered doing his job?
February 21, 2013 at 9:51 AM
No one put a gun to his head to apply for that job. Either you have to be totally dumb or stupid to not know that when you apply for ANY law enforcement job, that there is a good chance when you step out of your house door, you might not EVER return home. Alright? Now get with the program!!
February 21, 2013 at 9:54 AM
So in your opinion if you sign up for a dangerous job then you are not entitled to be honored if you die doing that job ? Your a jackass. I would argue the point with you but you obviously have a issue with Law Enforcement and again your a jackass.
February 21, 2013 at 10:23 AM
At least he can spell you loser.
February 21, 2013 at 10:37 AM
What was mispelt you scholar?
February 21, 2013 at 11:49 AM
I totally agree with your point. If by the "Guest" post I'm also assuming that the poster does not support military funerals either?
February 21, 2013 at 11:46 PM
military funerals cost a fraction of what this cost. Your funerals should be just like the military.
February 21, 2013 at 11:37 PM
CM98, you can call me anything you want you dumb moron I couldn't care less. You're nobody. Are you really that retarded? What the F do you consider a DANGEROUS job? How many construction workers who die doing their jobs? Or cab drivers that are killed by being robbed or die in an accident no fault of their own. What about that young cashier trying to make some extra cash to help pay part of his/her school tuition that was robbed and shot to death at 3 o'clock in the Morning at the 7-Eleven? No big time funeral or memorial services for them, huh? Those jobs that I just mentioned are jobs that are high risk. You have to be careful. At least Law Enforcement carry weapons and in most cases NOT all the time have plenty of backup. The others I mentioned have no choice but to rely on Law Enforcement for protection, as long as the cops aren't sitting down chowing down on a free meal a mile away so they will be able to get there on time before something drastic happens. So CM98, until I see others in DANGEROUS jobs honored if they happen to die doing their jobs, you can't say JACK crap to me. And btw, I really don't have any issue with Law Enforcement. But I will say this like any other job, there are good employees and bad employees,and that includes cops. If I got pulled over for a seat violation and that cop smelled a little alcohol on my breath he/she would run me in for a DUI. But if it happens to be a family member or close friend he/she will probably either let them go or escort them to their destination(more than likely home). But a least their lives won't be turned upside down as in a lot of minor DUI cases. That kind of crap really pisses me off. Come to think about now. Maybe I might a slight issue with some Law Enforcement.
February 21, 2013 at 9:17 AM
When you die doing something honorable you deserve to be laid to rest with honors. Law Enforcement chooses to put themselves into harm everyday and as such they deserve to have all that is available to show respect when they make the ultimate sacrifce. They are a family and that is why so many people feel this loss. Could you fill a concert venue if you passed? Most of us could not becuase we will never touch as many lives as this deputy did. He was brave and lost his life to a coward. His family lost so much and your worried about the cost of a funeral? Classy.
PS , I agree with Denise.. I fail to see how you owning a buisness gives you any insoght into this subject. Unless you as the owner would take a bullet to protect one of your employees its not quite the same.
February 21, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Dorner is the real hero here. That cop was a part of the corruption that was attempting to murder Dorner. This cop wanted to kill him and not take him alive. Kharma got that officer killed.
February 21, 2013 at 10:41 AM
You hear the call? The villiage is calling you, they want their idiot back.
February 21, 2013 at 11:01 AM
Please go some place else and spread our stupidity with your own kind, this is not the place or time for this….Be Respectfully….
February 21, 2013 at 10:40 AM
CM98,
you clearly don't have to be a business owner to be fiscally responsible, but it is the reason I am still in business. I agree, officers should have a honorable service, but would it be less honorable if you used 6 police cars and 6 motorcycle units and not the 200 plus vehicles? Could we agree that many officers attending have no relationship with the desist and are getting paid? God forbid that you have to burry a loved one in the near future, but will you not make a financial decision on how much you spend on their burial and service? Will it be classless for you to say, " I can not afford, the expensive casket and can't hold a reception to feed 500 people?." Absolutely not, there is no shame in that! We have to make financial decisions that will impact us. All we ask is that our city officials be wise with citizens tax dollars and be fiscally responsible as if it was their own. Thought I don't know the specific financial situation of San Bernardino, the city of Los Angeles has a 27 billion deficit in unfunded pension plans.
February 21, 2013 at 10:57 AM
The mojority of the 200 plus officers are there are their own time – I know this as my friends and family are in the 200 plus cars in the procession. The City of Yucaipa and San Bernardino has pulled together through this and you would be amazed at the amount of donations that were provided. I will not argue with you on showing respect to a fallen officer – if you don't have enought empathy and common sense to see the beauty in that then there no use trying to make you see it.
February 21, 2013 at 11:19 AM
CM98,
I said 200 plus vehicles, I am sure there will be hundreds of officers. Again, I have no problem with anyone that attends on their own time or the citizens holding the flags along the road, but you are missing the point. You couldn't possible honestly argue that all cops are attending on their own time. You have 200 plus cruisers and motors, and I am sure the donations didn't fill those gas tanks, or account for engine wear and tear. These are real cost for its citizens and can not be dismissed.
February 21, 2013 at 2:42 PM
Engine wear and tear to drive the five miles from the middle of San Bernardino to Devore? Wow. You are ridiculous.
February 21, 2013 at 3:33 PM
owe, you mean the border patrol has a station there? Does the Camarillo pd have on there as well? I am talking all the police vehicles not just San Bernardino.
February 21, 2013 at 11:14 AM
"Owning" a tire shop in La Puente and having 16 illegals hanging around isn't really owning a business. Get ove yourself . As they say in ol' Mexico: AMF
February 21, 2013 at 11:37 AM
BLUE BLOOD,
There you go, the CLANSMAN in you is coming out. To infer I am in La Puente and own a tire shop clearly shows your biases. When you speak that way, you embarrass law enforcement. I don't blame you, I blame our public officials who have made the bar so low to become a patrolman. There are some good cops out there, but clearly you are not one of them.
February 21, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Now you're showing your bias. Apparently any commentor who disagrees with you and use a humorous, ethnically-slanted metaphore, is obviously a white, redneck, Klansman cop. BTW: I'm none of those things.
February 21, 2013 at 4:47 PM
Blue blood I agree with you with one minor correction. Guillermo's business is probably not a shop, its a spot at the swamp meet……and I'm Hispanic by the way…
February 21, 2013 at 6:52 PM
S4287,
You've got a superiority complex. You forget that you serve a community, but instead you walk around like you own the place. You learn a bit of the PC & Health & safety books and cite it like a parrot and think you are scholars. You're not that bright. You couldn't make anywhere near the same amount of income in the private world. How many of you cops have been stopped for a DUI and let go because of the brass pass? You guys are the biggest abusers of the law. I guess that is one of your fringe benefits. I have many cops friends, but don't toe the blue line.
February 21, 2013 at 6:02 PM
Right on, CM98
February 21, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Did you realize that many of the officers'deputies that are attending the funeral are doing so on their OWN time… I have been to many LE funerals and never once have I been paid overtime to attend. Doing so was on my own time and my own dime.
February 21, 2013 at 3:41 PM
That is great, that is how it should be.
February 21, 2013 at 1:46 PM
you needed to stop your comment before your first comma.
February 21, 2013 at 4:02 PM
RIP Detective MACKAY. Thank You. Guillermo, I hope you remember what you posted here, the next time you, your family, friends etc. are crime victims or need help. Don't worry Guillermo, cops will still help you and them. Some day Guillermo cops might save the life of a person you love. Do you think you will still feel the same way? I almost feel sorry for you ! You need us Guillermo. You need people like Detective MACKAY. If not for people like him and us, the wolves would run wild and you would have no chance. God Bless the Peace Keepers AKA Sheepdogs !
February 21, 2013 at 5:05 PM
GT,
I feel the same way. My need for law enforcement doesn't change the fact that tax payers dollars are being spent without regard for the taxpayer. You don't think six cruisers, six motors, and all the uniformed staff is enough? Must you have 200 plus cars? Must you have all that paid staff attend? Our soldiers services are much smaller and a fraction of the cost. Are they not honorable enough? Should we roll out some tanks and hummers well? The reason they don't get the Cadillac funeral services is because of cost? Multiply what is spent on this funeral times the 5k plus that we have lost. Dollars and cents come into play in everything, but not when it comes to house money.
February 21, 2013 at 4:34 PM
Guillermo your an idiot you don't know the meaning of public service or what sacrifice means. You don't hear the cops complaining about all the BS false burglar alarms your business probably generates yearly. regardless of a false alarm they still show up to ensure businesses are secured. Maybe you should pay more taxes for all the wasted time for false alarms at your stupid business……A-hole
February 21, 2013 at 5:56 PM
Don't talk to me about sacrifice, the day you do it for free I will accept that. You get paid to do what you do? If you do not like the line of work then do something else. Don't hide under the sense of community blanket, you do it for the pay, pension, and all the fringe benefits. I generate about 2 false alarms yearly and yes the LAPD increases the charges with everyone. I am sure all of us Angelenos will pay more and more in taxes to fund those unfunded pension plans you and the rest of the city employees have. You ungrateful prick, you have no fill!
February 21, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Guillermo,
I have had this conversation with you before. And you still don't seem to understand the concept of a police funeral. This is a brother hood. So don't complain about wasted tax dollars. This man sacrificed his life for the public. R.I.P Jeremiah.
February 21, 2013 at 8:29 PM
This is neither the time nor the forum for discussion re: wasted tax dollars. You are also ignorant to the fact that many of those officers attend using their own free time and are not getting paid while attending this service. You are not the only one paying taxes – I do too – and I prefer to see my tax dollars being "spent" this way than for it to go to greedy politicians paying themselves exorbitant salaries.
February 21, 2013 at 8:38 AM
Friendly fire.
February 21, 2013 at 6:48 PM
You sir, are a complete idiot.
February 21, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Our condolences to the Mackay family. May the soul of Det. Jeremiah Mackay RIP. We are greatful to you and your sacrifice. You will not be forgotten.
February 21, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Why isn't there as much coverage on Channel 5 this morning as there was for Crain last week? I thought the coverage a couple hours before Crain's funeral was appropriate, interviewing officers, procession, etc. here it is 30 minutes prior to MacKays funeral and Who Wants to be a Millionaire is on. What's up with that?
February 21, 2013 at 10:38 AM
I wondered the same
February 21, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Channel 11 did not even bother..I guess the ratings were not as good as last week when it was all about Dorner.
February 21, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Lets all ignore Josh R. who is trolling.
February 21, 2013 at 10:50 AM
You might want to see how much the citizens and the community have donated on their own before you start talking about what was spent on this officers funeral. something you obviously do not have..a sense of community.
February 21, 2013 at 11:38 AM
You can have all the sense of community with your own money. I know those donations didn't fill up the gas tanks of the police & fire vehicles.
February 21, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Your just an ass and not worth anymore comments.
February 21, 2013 at 12:09 PM
CM98,
Your right, we're done. Like I said, there is no concern when you play with house money.
February 21, 2013 at 10:54 AM
My prayers are with the MacKay family. It's was a tragic, terrifying situation.
February 21, 2013 at 11:23 AM
To the family of Det. Jeremiah Mackay my family just wants to say that we our sorry for your loss, and we want the family to know that our hearts go out o all of his family members , most of all to his babies, may the love of God confort you at this time of your loss.
February 21, 2013 at 11:55 AM
RIP Officer MacKay
February 21, 2013 at 11:58 AM
If only we had a more peaceful society where violence wasn't a realistic option.
February 21, 2013 at 11:59 AM
I agree
February 21, 2013 at 12:01 PM
A place where people understood a moral society start with teaching children bad choices have consequences and situational ethics can't keep you from consequences. Where people have 'true' tolerance and don't attack everyone around them for differences like religion.
February 21, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Roger 168p • 49 minutes ago
Attacking you for just about anything is the only decent thing to do.
Roger 166p • 2 days ago
If every single muslim is taught to follow the koran or be stoned for apostasy, then they deserve collective blame
February 21, 2013 at 12:12 PM
R.I.P.
February 21, 2013 at 1:05 PM
Your a dick
February 21, 2013 at 1:43 PM
My heart breaks for the family's (and community's) terrible loss. My son's criminal justice teacher at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos rented buses for his four classes to take all of his students to the funeral to honor Deputy McKay. May the love and memories help get his family through these difficult days and months to come. I have one brother that is CHP in Riverside countyand I know it could have easily been him. My deepest sympathy and heart-felt condolences.
February 21, 2013 at 6:31 PM
I was in the Patriot Guard Rider's flag line on the road entering the park. I saw your son's busses and gave them a thumbs up. My thought at the time was that these kids were getting a great lesson in community service, involvement, and sacrifice men and women perform every day in the safety field. Let your son know, and have him thank his instructor. The instructors donation to these kids did not go unnoticed.
February 21, 2013 at 1:47 PM
I want to express my thanks to all of the people who serve our community everyday. The death of these officers brings to the forefront the sacrifice made on our behalf. I am so sorry for the loss of their beloved family members and co-workers.
February 21, 2013 at 1:49 PM
People take issue with spending public money on a tribute to a fallen hero… a man who rushed into a situation knowing he was about to go head to head with a better armed demonic mad man. How about you reserve your anger for all the useless tax takers sitting at home collecting welfare for years on end via fraud. And yes…he is worthy of the live coverage. The so-called idiot celebraties these days are the waste of airtime. R.I.P. Detective Mackay.
February 21, 2013 at 2:41 PM
I agree. Rip Jeremiah
February 21, 2013 at 3:49 PM
I won't reserve my anger, our cities are bankrupt this overspending along with the salaries and pension plans are destroying us.
February 21, 2013 at 10:46 PM
Well said!! Amen!!
February 21, 2013 at 1:51 PM
Thank you Deputy Mackay for your service and heroism. A good man, husband, friend, son, brother, and father was lost, and my heart and prayers go out to all of you that know and love him. May he rest in peace.
February 21, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Thank You Detective Sherriffs Deputy MacKay!
SheepDog Up!
February 21, 2013 at 2:22 PM
The tragedy here is that people can not show respect to someone who has died and to their family. How dare you write negative comments at this time of mourning. Keep your comments to your self. Shame on you!!
February 21, 2013 at 5:50 PM
People died everyday he was getting paid to the job he knew the danger. So don’t call him a hero stop wasting our tax dollars.
February 21, 2013 at 6:51 PM
You are a complete idiot. I'd guy you are to much of a panzy to be a cop so shut your pie hole.
February 21, 2013 at 7:19 PM
Jer no matter what all these satan lovers say It took a bigger man than these cowards will ever know to do what you did for these ungrateful people. Evan knowing that you cared for everyone evan the erragant cowards out there. You will always be loved and be my hero little cousin. God bless you until we meet again.
February 21, 2013 at 6:49 PM
God Bless the honorable man.
Although ships are personified as women, I always felt , this poem, said how I felt for the homecoming of anyone.
“I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?
" Gone from my sight, that’s all.”
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout,
"Here she comes!"
And that is dying.”
February 21, 2013 at 8:07 PM
This is sooo heartbreaking.
(
February 21, 2013 at 8:22 PM
*** Work-At-Home, Easy-Money Scams *** Malware / Spyware / Virus Alert ***
Do NOT click on any links or visit any of the web sites listed in any of these comments! Spammers are trying to trick you into infecting your computer! Avoid becoming another unsuspecting victim!
February 21, 2013 at 8:38 PM
Let us remember that a baby boy will never know his father, a little girl has lost her stepdad, a woman grieves for her husband, parents burying a son and scores of friends and family members have lost a cherished loved one. Not the time or place to throw out political views. Just be grateful for men and women like Jeremiah MacKay. Thank you Det. MacKay and God bless you and yours.
February 21, 2013 at 9:13 PM
Reblogged this on N4TM and commented:
I watched the entire funeral online (I’m in AZ). I was blessed to hear that Detective Jeremiah MacKay was also a brother in Christ. He was a cop, and a bit of a drinker, but there was no doubt that his family and friends knew him to be a believer. His dad’s portion of the Eulogy was the most touching. At the end of the broadcast there was a “Last Call,” that went over the radio for officer MacKay. The crowd was still and silent as you heard the lady dispatcher call for him. Of course there was no answer and then she continued to state that Jeremiah MacKay was shot in the line of duty. I lost it then and my heart released a flood of tears. I know one day as a sister-in-Christ I will see and meet Jeremiah, but it was still consuming. This story as I have stated before in posts on Dorner was very close to home. My prayers go out to the MacKay family and the Law Enforcement family who lost one of their own. One last poignant moment was when one of MacKay’s fellow officers (or it could have been his dad) stating days before Jeremiah’s death he had told them, “I’m gonna get him (Dorner).” MacKay purposed in his heart, mind, and soul, to protect his family and his friends from the evil murderer named Christopher Dorner. Dorner’s name will be infamous for being a “cop killer,” and his final reckoning will be an eternity separated from God whereas MacKay will be in the presence of God.
February 21, 2013 at 9:32 PM
Our condolences to the Mackay family. May the soul of Det. Jeremiah Mackay RIP. We are greatful to you and your sacrifice. You will not be forgotten
February 21, 2013 at 10:44 PM
You're our hero! Thank you for your service and the care you gave to all of us. This could have been my brother or nephew who are also service men.RIP.
February 22, 2013 at 12:52 AM
This funeral was hard to watch. This man was so special and the kind of officer I would clone . The baby boy looks just like him too. This is what I think; If the Chief of Police can't analyze the magnitude of loss here by him not cracking down on bad cops, suport whistle blowers, and see that when you allow bad cops to hide behind the blue, it jeopardizes the life of incredible cops like McKay.
I believe that the manifesto was truthfully written and that officer Evans abused that man. I am sick to see what I saw today very deeply. There is a high price to pay when dishonesty, abuse and corruption is embraced
February 22, 2013 at 6:01 AM
Goodbye, Jer.
February 22, 2013 at 12:08 PM
RIP, I attended and many did as he gave his life defending our community and paid the ultimate sacrafice. I attend many funerals for fallen military I would like to see the military heros get his kind of attention. I have seen many law enforcement, fire and other community members attend fallen heros but not like this. Have attended close to 20 KIA (killed in action) in the last 12 months and while there are good turnouts I have never seen one like this event. Glad to see the support but need to recognize our military more than we do.