"A sea of blue" is coming to Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A sea of blue is coming to Springfield.

Preparations are underway for the funeral of Officer Kevin Ambrose, the first city officer to die in the line of duty since 1985. An estimated ten thousand police officers are expected to flood the streets of Springfield as Officer Kevin Ambrose is laid to rest. The Springfield Police Department is asking the public to please be part of the tribute, as the city says goodbye to one of its most devoted defenders.

Officer Kevin Ambrose worked the day shift as a patrolman. In order to allow his closest coworkers to attend, midnight shift patrolmen have agreed to work overtime on the day of the funeral.

“They needed to be there for him,” explained Sergeant John Delaney. “To march alongside the casket and see him at his last resting spot.”

Sergeant Delaney told 22News the Springfield department’s expecting anywhere from five to ten thousand visiting, uniformed police officers from across the United States and Canada. They'll flood Court Square on Friday afternoon following the burial. Officer Ambrose's family will be able to watch from a private terrace at One Financial Plaza.

“It's going to be a sea of blue dedicated to Kevin Ambrose,” said Delaney.

Ambrose was a man who patrolled the streets for 36 years protecting the people of this city, whether he knew them or not

Now his brothers in blue are asking the public to be part of a hero's sendoff.

“To see the citizens that he protected saying goodbye one last time,” reflected Delaney, “would make the family feel good,it would make police officers feel good. Just be there. To support us. This is a time we need the public to step up and show that they really love the police officers.”

Court Square will be blocked off from Main St to East Columbus Ave starting Thursday.