Mike and Cynthia McLelland: Public memorial brings range of emotions

Dozens of police officers, K-9's, tactical teams, and even rooftop sharp-shooters were at the church to provide tight security, which, in itself, was a reminder of the threat that still hangs over Kaufman County and those who are sworn to protect it.

The public memorial service brought a range of emotional responses from the speakers and the audience. For as many tears that were shed, there were also laughs while remembering good times, and applause for those who expressed what so many were feeling, "we want justice and we won't back down." While the touching song “One More Day” played in the background, personal photos of Mike and Cynthia and their family were shown on two large screens.

Friends and family shared anecdotes about Cynthia's love of quilting, how she loved it so much she went on “quilting retreats.” A colorful quilt made by Cynthia was displayed next to the casket holding Mike's body and Cynthia's ashes, ensuring that the two would be together forever. Cynthia's friends spoke about her warm and caring nature, the smiles and hugs she shared with so many, and her deep love and commitment to her husband and her family.

Mike McLelland's friends described how much it meant to him to become the District Attorney of Kaufman County and that being a D.A. was his life's dream. They spoke of his incredible intelligence and his wonderful sense of humor. They told the audience that Mike was very protective of Cynthia and that theirs was a true love story. Although Mike and Cynthia were different in many ways, he was boisterous and loved to talk and share stories, while Cynthia was soft-spoken and nurturing, their friends and family described them as a perfect match.

A number of state and local dignitaries were at the service, as well as dozens of law enforcement officers who came to pay their respects. Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood and Governor Rick Perry spoke at the service. The Governor reminisced that, just a few weeks ago, he met and spoke with Mike McLelland in Austin while Mike was there being honored by the Texas House and Senate. He said, “By any measure we're capable of understanding, we shouldn't be here today.” He vowed to help bring justice for Kaufman County and the State of Texas, and he told the McLelland family that millions of people across the state and the nation stand behind them.

Mike and Cynthia's daughter stood strong while speaking, imploring the community to “stand up” and do the right thing so that her mother and stepfather could get justice, and she said that backing down to the killers would be cowardly and would mean her parents died in vain. She spoke about how her stepfather would not back down even after his Assistant D.A. Mark Hasse was murdered, telling the mourners, “I think that we need to follow in those footsteps. Not just the people in law enforcement, not just the people who do the jobs day to day, but everybody. We can't let the fear of what people are going to do to us or say to us, or the fear of them... of what they're going to do to our families, stop us from doing the right thing.”

After the indoor memorial service, the crowd stepped outside to watch as Mike and Cynthia's flag-draped casket was brought out, and the folded flag was presented to Mike's mom. A lone trumpeter played “Taps” and then a 21 gun salute was given followed by an honorary playing of the bagpipes, and a flyover from a solo helicopter. The casket was carried by six police officers and placed into an awaiting hearse to take the couple back to Mike's hometown of Wortham, Texas. A family funeral and burial will be held there tomorrow.

Mike and Cynthia McLelland leave behind their elderly mothers, as well as five children, their children's spouses, and a number of grandchildren, brothers, and sisters.