New Mexico mourns slain officer Justin Hare at moving church service

ALBUQUERQUE (TND) — The funeral for a New Mexico state police officer who was killed in the line of duty is underway Wednesday.

Loved ones and the community gathered at Legacy Church in Albuquerque to pay their respects to Justin Hare.

Hare was shot by a suspect on March 15 in Tucumcari. Authorities said Hare was dispatched to help a motorist along Interstate 40 when he was killed.

Jaremy Smith, 33, reportedly got out of the vehicle on the side of. the interstate and shot Hare dead before taking off in Hare's patrol vehicle.

Smith was also accused of killing a South Carolina paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore, 52.

A procession of bagpipes started the church service with hundreds in attendance.

The monitor in the room displayed a photograph of Hare in his NMSP uniform.

Before the filled room heard from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham a collage of photographs and family videos of Hare were shown.

"Today, I am honored to join you and pay respects to New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare," said Lujan Grisham. "

Hare leaves behind two daughters as well as his girlfriend who is expecting their third child.

Smith is being held in federal custody facing two counts of carjacking resulting in death and discharge of a firearm.