Mike Hirter built bridges.

Between police and the community, city government and its citizens, friends and family, himself and God.

The lives he touched were on full display Wednesday with a funeral procession that spanned the city. A continuous flashing strand stretched from Downtown, across the interstate, to Memorial Park Cemetery, where St. Joseph said goodbye to its former police chief and deputy mayor with a flock of doves and a 21-gun salute.

Law enforcement officers shined in their Class A's for their colleague's farewell. The local police and sheriffs' departments, highway patrol, and even representatives from surrounding departments in small communities on both sides of the state line paid their respects.

Four friends shared memories of Mr. Hirter during his memorial service at a packed Wyatt Park Baptist Church.

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong reminisced about trout fishing trips at Bennett Springs, where Mr. Hirter always seemed to catch the biggest fish. City Manager Vince Capell lamented the restaurant bills he tried to pay, only to find out Mr. Hirter was a step ahead of him. Al Purcell, who consulted with the City Council early in its term, remembered a meeting in 2006 that he called "cathartic," the media labeled "tumultuous," and Mr. Hirter said was "the best we've ever had." Dr. Dan Colgan, former superintendant for the St. Joseph School District, jumped back to 1960 when he and Mr. Hirter were summoned to the principal's office at Lafayette High School.

"(The principal) told me, 'Colgan, if you don't learn to behave for your teacher, you're going to be in this school a long time,' and then he turned to Mike and said, 'Hirter, if you don't straighten up, you're gong to spend most of your life in jail,'" Dr. Colgan said.

As St. Joseph residents know, the principal's words proved prophetic. Mr. Hirter served the St. Joseph Police Department for more than 30 years, working his way to the top as police chief.

Mr. Hirter never really retired. He left the Police Department Dec. 31, 2005, but before the weather warmed up, he found himself at City Hall as the deputy mayor. Four years of service only strengthened his desire to serve the city. He announced in February 2009 that he planned to run for mayor. Whether by coincidence, or due to Mr. Hirter's reputation, no candidate had announced their intent to challenge him for the city's highest office.

The four friends who spoke each wondered what might have been. Dr. Colgan even asked the crowd to rise and salute "the best mayor St. Joseph never had."

But Mr. Hirter's impact extended beyond the public eye. On the recurring trips he made with friends to the dinner theater, he inevitably reached across the seat to hold his wife Dawn's hand as they rolled down the road. Did he hope to comfort Dawn, or to gain a bit of reassurance for himself?

Mr. Capell said he hopes to find out in heaven, where he expects Mr. Hirter has already found an eternal trout stream.

"Some theologians say a man is saved by his works, others by God's grace. My friend Mike Hirter was saved by both," Mr. Capell said.

Clinton Thomas can be reached at clintonthomas@npgco.com.