GRAPEVINE — More than a decade after a Dallas officer was struck by a vehicle during a foot pursuit, he was laid to rest Wednesday with official police honors at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine.
In 1996, Officer Kevin Marceau was hit by a passing car after chasing a suspect in a hit-and-run accident he witnessed while working an off-duty job in East Dallas, the Dallas Police Department said.
In 1998, Marceau went on medical leave due to the severity of the injuries. He died Friday from complications of those injuries, and was given a police funeral with full honors Wednesday.
Marceau was remembered as a fighter who spent the final years of his life in pain.
"We know that he has suffered for 14 years," said Fr. Anh Tran, the pastor at St. Francis of Assisi. "God loves him too. God said, 'That's enough; come home to me.' And, indeed, this past Friday, Officer Marceau went home to God."
The Dallas Police Department's command staff, including Chief David Brown, attended the funeral. Mayor Tom Leppert, City Manager Mary K. Suhm and members of the Dallas City Council were also in attendance.
All who knew him say Officer Marceau simply wanted to serve his community but also his country. He was also in the Air Force serving in Operation Desert Storm.
Officer Marceau becomes the 80th Dallas police officer to die in the line of duty. And like those before him, he will be remembered as a hero who gave his life protecting others.
E-mail rlopez@wfaa.com
