Behind the Badge
Keith Wayne Boyer was described over and over again Friday — by his children, his friend, his police chief and his pastor — as being humble, gracious and kind, as a cop who loved the job, no matter what, and as man who put others ahead of himself.
Boyer, a 53-year old father of two sons and a daughter and grandfather of two girls and a Whittier police officer for 27 years, was shot and killed in the line of duty Feb. 20 by a man who authorities say was a documented gang member.
As eulogies were delivered from the stage of Calvary Chapel in Downey, as Boyer’s life was celebrated, the roughly 2,500 supporters inside the chapel and the hundreds more outside took it all in.
A Whittier PD honor guard member presents the flag to Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper, right, before Piper presented it to the family of Officer Keith Boyer.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
When the 90-minute service culminated with the flag-draped coffin carrying Boyer being wheeled past rows of saluting law enforcement officers from throughout the state and the country, attendees couldn’t help but leave the chapel feeling like they knew the man.
Police personnel from Chicago, Phoenix and New York City were among the out-of-state mourners.
“My father was kind,” said Keith’s son, Joseph Boyer. “He was so nice and friendly to everyone he met … always thinking of others before himself.”
Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper presents the ceremonial flag to Officer Keith Boyer’s son, Joseph, at the conclusion of funeral services.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Eulogies were sometimes interrupted by applause, and sometimes by laughter, especially when Joseph Boyer said his father was “goofy,” a man who loved to tell corny jokes and had a set of fake “gag teeth” at the ready.
A person of profound faith, Boyer was described by his daughter Ashley as a man who embraced the teachings of Jesus.
“He had the heart of a servant,” Ashley Boyer said. “If you guys want to know what the heart of Jesus looks like, just look at my dad. He understood that life is all about loving God and loving others.”
Retired Whittier Police Officer Mike Carson, Boyer’s longtime friend, said “he was the kindest, sweetest, most gentle man you could ever meet. There wasn’t a mean bone in his body.”
Members of the Whittier PD and LAPD honor guards place their white gloves on the casket of Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Boyer absolutely embraced the opportunity to help others, Carson said.
“He was the ultimate team player … always willing to help out wherever he could,” Carson said. “If you had a personal problem, he would be the first one to listen and lend his support. He judged no one and friended everyone.”
Nearly every speaker also made mention of Boyer’s love of music and prowess as a rock ‘n’ roll drummer.
Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper broke down at the lectern in the final minute of his eulogy.
“For you see, Keith is a hero and heroes never die,” Piper said. “They live forever. Godspeed, Keith, my brother in law enforcement and my friend.”
A Los Angeles County deputy sheriff honor guard member stands watch over the casket of Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Boyer joined the Whittier force in 1989 as a jailer and became a sworn officer in 1990.
He had a variety of assignments throughout his tenure, including that of motor officer and K9 handler.
After the funeral service, the hearse carrying Boyer led a procession of police vehicles to Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, where the fallen officer was laid to rest.
The U.S. flag that draped the casket was handed to Joseph Boyer.
Boyer is the third Whittier officer to die in the line of duty in the department’s 100-year history.
Joshua Boyer, left, Joseph Boyer, Ashley Sheleretis and Mike Sheleretis sing “Amazing Grace” during a memorial service for Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper talks about Officer Keith Boyer during Friday’s memorial service.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Joseph Boyer talks about his father during the memorial service. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Ashley Sheleretis talks about her father, Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer, during a memorial service at Calvary Chapel Downey.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper gets choked up at the end of his speech.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Joshua Boyer, Joseph Boyer and Ashley Sheleretis sit behind the casket of their father, Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer, during memorial services at Calvary Chapel Downey.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Honor Guard member Tommy Lomeli walks up to relieve another guard member standing watch over the casket of Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD honor guard members, including Officer Michelle Jankowski and Sgt. Sara Fetterling, line up just before the casket holding Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer is carried out and placed in a hearse at the conclusion of a memorial service at Calvary Chapel Downey on March 3.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies salute as the casket holding Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer is carried out and placed in a hearse at the conclusion of a memorial service at Calvary Chapel Downey.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Honor guard members, including Tustin PD and Orange County Sheriff’s Department personnel, salute as the casket holding Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer is carried out and placed in a hearse at the conclusion of a memorial service at Calvary Chapel Downey.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Whittier PD pallbearers carry the casket holding Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer out to a waiting hearse.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The hearse carrying Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer leaves Calvary Chapel Downey on its way to Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Mourners gather on the lawn at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Whittier PD honor guard members carry the casket holding Whittier Officer Keith Boyer at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Whittier PD pallbearers carry the casket holding Whittier Officer Keith Boyer at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Officers salute during the playing of “Taps” at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Whittier PD officers salute during the playing of “Taps” at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell pays his respects to Officer Keith Boyer’s son, Joseph, at the conclusion of funeral services Friday.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
LAPD mounted officers salute during the playing of “Taps” at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
