Melissa Styles spoke publicly for the first time about her husband's death at his funeral at the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket, Ont., on Tuesday afternoon.
She said her husband was her "first and only love," and the greatest gifts he gave her were her two young children, Meredith, 2½, and 10-week-old Nolan.
"Now I am in pieces. But I will put myself back together for our children, because I know that was what you would want me to do," she said, addressing her husband.
"I'm not sure how I'll live in a world without you but I promise I will find a way. I love you, you are so loved," she said at the arena, which was packed with police officers, firefighters, emergency workers and dignitaries.
York Regional Police Rev. Vicki Cousins, addressing Melissa Styles in her benediction, said, "We cannot pretend to make amends for your loss, but we promise to walk with you."
The funeral concluded after Styles's police hat was presented to his wife atop the flag that draped his casket. Six pallbearers later carried the casket out to a hearse to the strains of The Skye Boat Song, which was played by the York Regional Police Pipe Band.
Family 'overwhelmed' by support
Earlier, two of Garrett Styles's uncles, speaking for the family, said the constable always wanted to help others."Rambunctious would be an understatement in describing him," said Bruce Hatt, recalling Styles's childhood days. "His big smile, his charm, and those dimples were all he needed to get out of trouble."
His three younger siblings, always looked up to him, said Hatt.
Mark Audrain, another uncle, said the family was "overwhelmed" by the support from people across the country.
"This is a difficult and emotional day, but there's no country in the world that honours its fallen heroes like Canada does," he said.
York Regional Police accompanied by GTA police, OPP, Fire and Emergency Medical Service workers are seen on Yonge St. in Newmarket, Ont., during the funeral procession for Const. Garrett Styles on July 5. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/CP)
A police officer wipes away tears while standing outside watching the remembrance service for Const. Styles at the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket, Ont. (Darren Calabrese/CBC)
Melissa Styles, wife of slain Const. Garrett Styles, receives condolences upon her arrival for her husband's remembrance service at the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket, Ont. on July 5. (Darren Calabrese/CP)
An unidentified family member carries two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Meredith of Const. Styles as wife and mother Melissa, left, arrive for her husband's remembrance service on July 5. (Darren Calabrese/CP)
Police officers stand at attention as the funeral procession for Const. Garrett Styles moves along Yonge St. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Children carry signs to commemorate Const. Styles during his funeral procession. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/CP)
A York regional police officer walks alongside Const. Styles' funeral procession. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Officers march in the the funeral procession for Const. Styles. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Members of the public watch the funeral procession of Const. Styles. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Children watch the funeral procession for Const. Garrett Styles on July 5. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
A member of the Toronto police chief's ceremonial unit, prior to the funeral for York Regional police officer Const. Styles at Upper Canada mall in Toronto. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Members of the Emergency Medical Services pay their respects by marching alongside police in remembrance of Const. Styles. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Representatives of the RCMP get into formation. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Owen Healy, 3, rests on his mother's shoulder as his father marches with the Fire Fighters Association of Ontario during the funeral procession. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
Three women hold signs in remembrance of Const. Styles. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
York Regional Police Bagpipers at the Upper Canada mall in Newmarket, Ont., prior to the funeral procession for Constable Styles. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/CP)
Regional police and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police gather at Upper Canada mall. (Amber Hildebrandt/CBC)
The flag flies at half-mast for the Remembrance Service for Const. Garrett Styles outside the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket, Ont on July 5. (Darren Calabrese/CP)
A York Regional police officer holds a programme for the remembrance service for Constable Styles in Newmarket, Ont., on July 5, 2011. (Darren Calabrese/CP)
"I think I speak for everyone here when I say we feel the weight of that responsibility, a responsibility to keep telling the story about this good man — especially to Meredith and Nolan — so that as they grow up and when they look in the mirror and see courage and compassion and good character staring back at them, they'll know exactly where it comes from. From the man who worshipped them, their father."
York Regional Police Chief Eric Joliffe said Styles was a level-headed team player who "did not have to look up, to look out for leadership — he only had to look within."
"Garrett was a hero, but his most heroic act was not the day he was taken from us so tragically," Jolliffe said.
"His most heroic act was the day he embraced his profession and willingly accepted a lifetime of risk for the good of this community."
Hundreds of people who had gathered to watch a 2½-hour police procession ahead of the funeral assembled outside Ray Twinney Complex before the service. The procession was led by almost 100 motorcycle officers and York Regional Police car No. 1405 marking the badge number of Styles, who died in the line of duty last week.
In addition to law enforcement officers from across the country, various emergency workers and members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the air force marched in the procession. Hundreds of citizens also stood by the procession route to pay their respects.
Teen suspect charged with murder
Glenda Healy of Jackson's Point, Ont., and her two young boys were among the hundreds who came to watch the procession. Her husband, a member of the firefighters association, was among those marching.
Const. Garrett Styles would have turned 33 on July 3. York Regional Police "It's the least you could do," said Healy, 37, about attending the event. "His wife is living our worst nightmare. ... It's your absolute worst nightmare that your spouse doesn't come home."Styles died in hospital from injuries suffered after he stopped the 2005 Dodge Caravan on Highway 48 east of Newmarket on June 28.
York Regional Police believe Styles was at the driver's door when the vehicle suddenly accelerated, dragged him about 300 metres, and finally rolled over and pinned him.
The vehicle was allegedly driven by a 15-year-old, who has since been charged with first-degree murder.
The officer — whose father, Garry, retired from the York police in January after 33 years — would have turned 33 on July 3.
Here is a mobile-friendly version of our live blog of the funeral and procession.
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