Hundreds of people gathered at a Florida church Thursday for the funeral of an officer allegedly gunned down by a young couple who then killed themselves.
Robert German, 31, is now the "guardian angel" for the Windermere Police Department, Chief David Ogden said. Fellow officers at the Northland Church in Longwood described German as a man with a sense of humor who loved being a police officer.
The parents of Brandon Goode, one of German's alleged killers, said Wednesday they are looking for answers. Ricke and Connie Goode of Davenport, Fla., released their first public statement since the tragedy:
"We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief," they said Wednesday. "We cannot comprehend the senseless loss of Officer German's life, the death of Alexandria Hollinghurst and for our family, the loss of our 18-year-old son, Brandon."
German was found bleeding to death on the side of a road early Saturday shortly after he called for backup. Police found the bodies of Brandon Goode and Hollinghurst in bushes nearby after hearing gunshots.
The young couple had been reported missing after leaving suicide notes at home. They allegedly shot German after he found them walking and then took their own lives.
In their statement, the Goodes promised full cooperation with investigators.
"We have no answers, only questions," they said. "Whether mental illness, substance abuse or something else, we are a family searching."
[Orlando Sentinel]
