Law enforcement officers from dozens of agencies are among the hundreds expected to attend Wednesday’s funeral for Gwinnett County Officer Antwan Toney. Toney, 30, was shot and killed Saturday while responding to a call in the Snellville area. The California native worked for nearly three years for the Gwinnett police department. Following the funeral, officers are expected to participate in a procession from a Lawrenceville church to a funeral home in Peachtree Corners. Traffic delays are likely in the area beginning shortly after noon. Here are the details: Funeral details for Officer Toney Where: 12Stone Church, 1322 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, GA When: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Parking: The parking lot for 12Stone Church will open at 9:00 am. New Bridge Church (next to 12Stone) will allow for overflow parking if needed. Those who park at New Bridge Church will be taken to 12Stone Church via buses. The main parking lot area (the parking lot located in front of the main entrance to the building) at the 12 Stone Church campus will be shut down at 10:15am (after the arrival of the family and hearse). Procession: Following the services, there will be a procession beginning at 12Stone and concluding at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home at 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Peachtree Corners. The procession will consist of the hearse, family, Gwinnett County Police Department personnel, and other officers from the law enforcement community. Members of the community may line the streets for the procession. Route: Exit 12Stone campus and turn right towards SR316; Turn right onto SR316 West; Exit onto Sugarloaf Parkway and turn right; Turn left onto Peachtree Industrial Boulevard; Turn right into Crowell Brothers Funeral Home<doc-sep>After the funeral, members of the community honored Officer Toney and lined the procession route between the church and the funeral home. LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- The Gwinnett County community gathered to honor the memory of Gwinnett Police Officer Antwan Toney, shot and killed in the line of duty on Saturday. The service began at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville at 11 a.m. Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" as Officer Toney's casket made it's way to the front of the church. Huff made opening remarks and Officer Spellman gave an emotional eulogy. Then those who loved Officer Toney shared their testimonies. Toney's sister, Carla Johnson spoke first and spoke about the bond between a big sister and little brother. followed by Officers Smith and Walsh. The South Precinct B-Cycle officers will walk onto the stage and and stand post behind the officers during their remarks. Toney's cousin, Prez Blackmon, gave an emotional tribute to his family member in song -- in a medley that began with "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Barbara Streisand. Officials from the Gwinnett County Police Department and Georgia Governor's office honored Toney with three posthumous awards, including an Honorable Service medal, the Purple Heart Medal and the Medal of Valor. Following the remarks was the Presentation of Awards, followed by a rendering of Honors. Gwinnett County Police Chief Butch Ayers presented an award medal to Toney's mother. After that, a Rendering of Honors, including a presentation of the colors and a firing party. Taps was played and Chief Butch Ayers presented an American flag to the family. The officers did the ritual of Last Call before the family was dismissed for the procession to the funeral home. Officer Antwan Toney was killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle near Shiloh Middle School on Saturday. He had been with the Gwinnett County Police Department for nearly three years. PHOTOS: Procession, funeral for fallen Gwinnett Officer Antwan Toney 1/34 2/34 3/34 4/34 5/34 6/34 7/34 8/34 9/34 10/34 11/34 12/34 13/34 14/34 15/34 16/34 17/34 18/34 19/34 20/34 21/34 22/34 23/34 24/34 25/34 26/34 27/34 28/34 29/34 30/34 31/34 32/34 33/34 34/34 1 / 34 The southern California native had celebrated his 30th birthday a few days earlier. Prior to joining the department, he worked as a security guard Gov. Nathan Deal has ordered flags at the Georgia State Capitol to fly at half-staff to honor Officer Antwan Toney. Toney was gunned down when he responded to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle on Saturday afternoon.<doc-sep>» GALLERY: Mourners pay respects along Antwan Toney's funeral procession Credit: Channel 2 Action News Credit: Channel 2 Action News “He wasn’t just my brother in blue, he was my brother outside of work,” said Officer Martele Smith, who met Toney three years ago when both were in training. “Anything I planned, he was always there. Anything he planned, I was always there.” He recalled Toney’s playfulness — the karate kicks in the South precinct parking lot, his unmistakable laugh. But when it came to policing, he was all business. “Today was a good day to do some work” was Toney’s mantra, repeated daily, Smith said. “Even when off work, we’d talk about work,” he said. October 20, 2018 Lawrenceville - Copy photo of Gwinnett Police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday, October 20, 2018. A Gwinnett County police officer was fatally shot near Snellville on Saturday afternoon, according to the department. The officer, identified as Antwan Toney, died after he was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center, the department announced. (Photo provided by Gwinnett Police Department) Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC A career in law enforcement had been his dream since childhood. Toney’s eldest sister, Carla Johnson, recalled him playing with his miniature police cars as a kid in Tustin, California, where much of the family still lives. “He never lost that childlike audacity,” said Johnson, describing their relationship as “Lincoln on a penny. Stuck together and brown.” October 24, 2018 Lawrenceville - Police motorcycle procession escorts the hearse carrying Gwinnett County police officer Antwan Toney outside 12Stone Church on Buford Drive on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. Gwinnett County police officer Antwan Toney, 30, was shot and killed Saturday while responding to a call in the Snellville area. The California native worked for nearly three years for the Gwinnett police department. A funeral was hold at 11 a.m. Wednesday at 12Stone Church, 1322 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC She was on the phone with her brother when he got the call reporting a suspicious vehicle near Shiloh Middle School in Snellville. The next call Johnson received was from Toney’s superior, telling her there had been a shooting. Just one week earlier, Toney summoned the family to Las Vegas to celebrate his 30th birthday. “In true Antwan fashion it was big, it was bold, and it was Vegas,” Johnson said. MORE: Hundreds attend visitation for Gwinnett officer RELATED: Man accused of killing cop is dead Memories like that will always bring a smile, but it was her brother’s example that Johnson said will sustain her family as they mourn the loss of their linchpin. “I won’t give up on my dreams because you never did,” she said. For Toney’s other family, the loss is nearly as staggering. A born leader, according to his fellow officers, he spoke often about his desire to one day become chief of police. Smith, Toney often told his friend, would be assistant chief. “He always told me, every day, ‘I’ve got your back,’ ” Smith said. October 24, 2018 Lawrenceville - Stan Rainey holds a sign to show his respect during the procession of slain Gwinnett County police officer Antwan Toney outside 12Stone Church on Buford Drive on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. Gwinnett County police officer Antwan Toney, 30, was shot and killed Saturday while responding to a call in the Snellville area. The California native worked for nearly three years for the Gwinnett police department. A funeral was hold at 11 a.m. Wednesday at 12Stone Church, 1322 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC Smith was working an incident on Ronald Reagan Parkway Saturday when he heard his friend’s voice over the police radio, telling the dispatcher he had been shot and needed an ambulance. Officer Ryan Walsh was the other officer on the scene. At Wednesday’s service, he admitted discomfort with public speaking. Like most people in law enforcement, he is reluctant to show any vulnerability. But Toney could bring down anyone’s guard, creating a scene of raw, heartfelt emotion as Walsh, surrounded by colleagues from the south precinct, fought back tears as he memorialized their friend. “It broke our hearts to lose you, you didn’t go alone,” said Walsh, reading from a poem. “Because part of us went with you, the day God called you home.” Maj. Everett Spellman said Toney was a positive influence to his fellow officers, “a stone soldier.” “When Officer Toney walked out that door, there was no hatred in his heart,” Spellman said. “He didn’t fight because he hated the suspects. He fought because he loved the community that was behind him.” Smith said Toney knew how to to talk to a suspect. His sister credited his natural empathy, coupled with an earnest desire to “earn the trust of the citizens he served.” Those citizens will never know what’s been lost with Toney’s death, Walsh said. October 24, 2018 Lawrenceville - Peyton Williams, 11, holds a flag to show his respect during the procession of slain Gwinnett County police officer Antwan Toney outside 12Stone Church on Buford Drive on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. Gwinnett County police officer Antwan Toney, 30, was shot and killed Saturday while responding to a call in the Snellville area. The California native worked for nearly three years for the Gwinnett police department. A funeral was hold at 11 a.m. Wednesday at 12Stone Church, 1322 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC But they were plenty grateful, demonstrated by the hundreds of people who lined up for miles along the funeral procession route. Mary Anne Supic, of Dacula, heard Johnson’s eulogy and felt compelled to join the throng on Buford Drive as they awaited the hearse carrying Toney’s flag-draped coffin. “This country needs solidarity right now,” she said. “I think there’s great unity today for someone who deserves our gratitude.” Wednesday was hard, Smith said, and the grief won’t subside anytime soon. “It’ll be hard not seeing you at roll call,” he said, speaking to Toney. “It’ll be hard not hearing your voice, ‘242 Bravo, Badge 1808.’ “ “But we’ll always remember that smile,” Smith continued. “We won’t forget it.”<doc-sep>
Image 1 of 25 ▼ The Gwinnett County officer killed in the line of duty has been laid to rest. Officer Antwan Toney was shot and killed Saturday while responding to a call about a suspicious car. The service took place Wednesday morning at 12Stone Church on Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. Officer Toney's flag-draped casket arrived at the Lawrenceville church by horse-drawn carriage. "We little knew that day God was going to call your name. In life, we loved you dearly. In death we do the same," said Officer Ryan Walsh, Gwinnett County Police Department. With heavy hearts, hundreds of law enforcement officers from across Georgia gathered to pay tribute to a fallen comrade. "Today, our hearts are heavy due to the loss of Officer Toney who was a beloved family member, a role model, a friend, and an excellent police officer," said Major Everett Spellman, Gwinnett County Police Department. Officer Toney graduated from the Gwinnett County Police Academy in 2016 realizing his life-long dream of becoming a police officer. "My family is dealing with a devastating and incomprehensible loss that we could have never foreseen," said Carla Johnson, officer's sister. Saying their lives will be forever changed with her brother's passing, Officer Toney's sister, grateful family, and friends all came together just two weeks ago to celebrate Officer Toney's 30th birthday. "My family and the world has lost one of the most genuine and kind human beings there ever will be at just 30 years old Antwan lived a life more full than most," said Johnson. Gwinnett County Police officers shared fond memories of their colleague during his time on the force. "There was not a day that Toney walked in roll call and did not have a smile and a positive attitude to do police work," said Officer Martele Smith, Gwinnett County Police Department. Pastor Chris Huff shared a message the officer posted on Facebook about a year ago in which he expressed his love for the job. "He said ‘I can't believe a year ago I started into this rewarding profession. I can't say this is for everyone. I've laughed and smiled. I've felt sadness many times. I even cried a few times. I've saved many lives and I've gotten to meet some amazing people in the process, but I will say that I take pride in what I do and I am so blessed to be able to do it,’" said Pastor Chris Huff. Gwinnett County Police Chief Butch Ayers awarded the late officer an honorable service medal, medal of valor and the purple heart medal recognizing the young officer for his exemplary service during his years on the force, paying the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community. "Antwon Toney badge 1808 died doing what he loved serving citizens and making Gwinnett County a safer place and for that, he will never be forgotten," said Chief Ayers. After the service, a police escort paraded Officer's Toney's body to Crowell Brothers Funeral Home. During that procession, Georgians lined the road to say goodbye to the fallen officer. MORE: The shooting, the manhunt, and arrests Officer Toney was six days shy of his third anniversary with the Gwinnett County Police Department. He had been with the department since October 26, 2015, and graduated from the Gwinnett Police Department’s 94th Academy on April 21, 2016, along with 25 other cadets. This was Officer Toney’s first job as a sworn law enforcement officer, Police Chief Butch Ayers said. Prior to joining the department, he worked as a security guard. Officer Toney is originally from Southern California, where his family still lives. MORE: Remembering Gwinnett County's Officer Antwan Toney