LARGO, Fla. — Hundreds lined up to watch the procession for a fallen Pinellas County deputy.
Deputy Michael Magli died in the line of duty on Wednesday. He was the first deputy to die in the line of duty with the Pinella County Sheriff's Office.
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People lined the streets to pay their respects.
"It's just really emotional because it's tragic that an incident like that could have been avoided," said Whitney Mobley.
Whitney Mobley watched the procession with her 10-year-old son.
"My in-laws are a law enforcement family. I previously worked for the sheriff's office and still have very dear, close friends that are still with the sheriff's office," said Mobley.
The procession started at the Medical Examiner's Office around 3 p.m. on Thursday. The hearse carrying the body of Deputy Magli traveled eastbound on Ulmerton Road and then north on U.S. Highway 19. It continued east on Bartelt Road to the Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home in Holiday.
"God watch over his family. He didn't deserve a fatality like that," said 10-year-old Logan Mobley.
Deputy Magli was killed on Wednesday after attempting to place stop sticks in the road to stop a suspected drunk driver.
The sheriff's office said the suspect's pickup truck flipped and crashed into the deputy's cruiser. Deputy Magli was pinned underneath his vehicle.
"I send my prayers and condolences to the family to everybody in the PCSO family. It's a sad day for all of Pinellas County," said Whitney Mobley.
On Thursday evening, dozens showed up outside the sheriff's office to visit a memorial. There is a photo of Deputy Magli next to a patrol car. People left cards, flowers and balloons.
"Respect and appreciate all law enforcement and know that they are true heroes, said Whitney Mobley.
