Fallen HPD sergeant laid to rest in north Texas

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Sgt. Harold Preston was laid to rest Saturday afternoon in Athens, Texas.

People lined up along Interstate 45 Saturday morning to salute the procession as it made its way north.

Preston was buried in a private service in the town where he grew up.

The fallen sergeant was honored by his friends and family during a service in Houston on Thursday.

A private funeral for family, friends and HPD staff was held at Grace Church Houston at 14505 Gulf Freeway.

Here are some of the most memorable moments from the memorial service:

WATCH: Honor Network founder explains Sgt. Preston's casket flag origin

The United States flag that draped the casked of Houston Police Sgt. Harold Preston has a storied history. Told by Honor Network CEO and Founder Chris Heisler.

WATCH: Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo announced the HPD Medal of Valor for Sgt. Preston

During Sgt. Preston's funeral service, Houston police chief Art Acevedo presented Prestons family with the HPD Medal of Valor.

WATCH: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announces Oct.29 as Sgt. Preston day in the city of Houston

Watch the video above to see Mayor Sylvester Turner announce Oct. 29 as Sgt. Preston Day in the city of Houston.

WATCH: Congressman Al Green presented Sgt. Preston's family with a flag that flew over the US Capitol

Watch the video above to see Congressman Al Green provide Sgt. Preston's family with a flag that flew over the US Capitol.

WATCH: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee introduced a congressional resolution to pay tribute to Sgt. Preston

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee introduced a congressional resolution to pay tribute to a great american - Sgt. Preston - which will be a part of the congressional record.

WATCH: Sgt. Preston's memorial concludes with ceremonial flag folding

From up above in SkyEye, the video shows the conclusion of fallen HPD Sgt. Harold Preston's memorial, which included the ceremonial flag fold for the sergeant's family.

The 41year HPD veteran was highly looked up to in the department and throughout the community. Here's a look back at the emotional day.

ABC13 was there as the procession got underway for fallen HPD Sgt. Harold Preston. This is what we saw Friday morning.

WATCH: Fiancée of fallen HPD sergeant says she forgives killer

In an emotional interview with ABC13's Melanie Lawson, Flenda Whitney, the fiancée of the HPD sergeant who was gunned down, says she's prepared to forgive the killer.

Last Friday, Preston's body was escorted to Lockwood Funeral Home in north Houston. On the way, members of the Houston Fire Department, who remain in mourning over the death of arson investigator Lemuel "DJ" Bruce, staged themselves on overpasses to salute the procession.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has asked that the city of Houston lift up his family in prayer, including his 23-year-old daughter.

Houston police went on a somber ride to escort the body of a 41-year veteran. In the video, SkyEye followed Sgt. Harold Preston's procession.

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In times of tragedy, the city of Houston always unites as one. After an HPD sergeant was killed in the line of duty and another was injured, both Chief Art Acevedo and Mayor Sylvester Turner offered words of encouragement to keep the city's spirit alive.