Family and friends remembered fallen Kent Police Officer Diego Moreno’s intensity for life and love of family at a memorial service Tuesday.
“He was noble, extremely sensitive with a heart of gold,” said Lizzie Lee, Moreno’s mother. “Being the first to help others was his trait, and all of you witnessed that by yourselves. The bar he set was very high.”
Moreno, an eight-year veteran of the Kent Police Department, was killed in the line of duty July 22. Thousands gathered to honor him at a service at ShoWare in Kent following a police procession.
PHOTOS: Remembering Officer Moreno
A well-decorated member of the force, Moreno received three life-saving medals and was awarded the Chief’s Award for Exceptional Duty. He served as a patrol officer and a hostage negotiator in addition to training new officers.
“He did more in eight years than most of us do in 20,” said Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla.
When Moreno traveled to Washington D.C. with his family two years ago, he traced the names of each fallen officer from Washington state on paper with pencil. Lee said she never imagined Moreno’s name would one day join the list.
At home, Moreno’s wife Shelly remembered him as a dedicated family man. Shelly Moreno said he would send her video messages of exuberant singing while waiting for school to start, and he even got a blue pedicure at his daughter’s request.
“To say he was protective was an understatement and he loved his children fiercely,” Moreno said.
Diego Moreno’s dedication to family extended beyond blood, Lee said.
Moreno’s former partner Matt Mullenix recalled how Moreno would infect a room with his energy, always motivating him to be a better friend.
“You always had our backs, buddy, whether we knew we needed a back or not,” Mullenix said. “We turned around and there you were.”
