BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says a deputy federal marshal killed in the line of duty last week left the world too soon, but left it a better place.
Holder told more than 1,000 mourners Monday at Simpson Creek Baptist Church that 24-year-old Derek Hotsinpiller was "one of the best" and "a young man with big plans and limitless potential."
Hundreds of officers from across the region lined up in the rain to attend Hotsinpiller's funeral, and overflow crowds watched the service from a video feed from a church next door.
Hotsinpiller was killed and two colleagues were injured in a gunfight while trying to serve a warrant in Elkins. Also killed was Charles E. Smith, 50, who was wanted on charges related to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.