LAS VEGAS -- While the mood throughout the crowd was somber, prayer and song sought to inspire hope for the friends and family of fallen Las Vegas Metro Officer James Manor.

A crowd estimated in the thousands packed the International Church of Las Vegas Friday morning to pay tribute to the 28-year-old, who died following a traffic collision last week.

“I can honestly say that James had the approval and respect of his peers,” said Metro Sheriff Doug Gillespie, who added that “Officer Manor was a hero long before” the accident that took his life.

Manor’s coffin, draped in the American flag, was placed in front of a stage where a choir performed and members of Manor’s family reflected on his life. Behind them a photo slideshow was projected onto the wall, showing Manor with friends, former classmates and with his 8-year-old daughter Jayla.

The Clark High School graduate attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a degree in communications. Described by friends as a natural athlete, Manor was captain of his college football team and later went on to coach varsity football at Western High School in Las Vegas.

A single father, Manor was also a volunteer in the Las Vegas community, spending time at both the Doolittle Community Center and the Andre Agassi School.

Manor joined the Metro Police department in 2007. He was killed just 13 days shy of his second anniversary with the police force.