Funeral held for Boston police officer

RANDOLPH, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A funeral was held Thursday for Boston Police Officer Dennis "DJ" Simmonds.

Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh joined hundreds of police officers at the funeral in Randolph. Prior to the service, officers stood in formation as a hearse carried Simmonds down North Main Street to the First Baptist Church.

Thousands paid their respects at a wake in Randolph Wednesday night.

Officer Simmonds died unexpectedly at the Boston Police Academy while working on in-service training. The 28-year-old's father told FOX 25 his son may have suffered a brain aneurysm.

Simmonds received the department's highest honor for his actions during the Watertown shootout in 2013. He was set to receive a national Top Cop Award from President Barack Obama next month.

Cox Media Group