SIERRA VISTA, Arizona (ABC 4 News) - Amidst the controversy of the friendly fire shooting, a funeral service was held Monday in the small Arizona town of Sierra Vista for Nicolas Ivie.
Iivie's family and friends gathered to remember him as a husband, father, and a dedicated agent.
A hymn familiar to Christians filled the LDS chapel in Sierra Vista on Monday. as the American flag draped casket of Nicolas James Ivie entered the church.
“Nick was loving, kind, humble, slow to anger, quick to forgive and patient,” said neighbor and fellow Border Patrol Officer Aaron Kerr.
Kerr spoke to the full chapel of mourners, not only friends, family and fellow agents but also government leaders including Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.
In fact, the service was transmitted to several other Mormon churches across Arizona so others could also participate.
“Wherever Nick was his two daughters were always close by. When I say always I mean always close by. Nick loves his two precious daughters,” said Kerr.
As his neighbor and friend spoke, he also mentioned Nick’s love for his wife Christine and a poem Nick wrote while at the border patrol academy.
“There once was a girl who caught my eye, there was something about her that made me feel like i could fly. I walked through the door and there she was. Pretty as an angel there was no doubt a creation of god. she must have been,” Kerr recited the lengthy poem that ended in a sweet proclamation to his wife. “I love you sweetheart.”
Nicolas James Ivie died on the Arizona, Mexico border. He was 30 years old and had been with the Border Patrol for 4 years.
