Visitations held for slain Bellaire Police Sergeant Jimmie Norman,

  

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Friday was a tough day all around for the family and friends of a Bellaire police officer and a bystander who were shot and killed at the end of a car chase on Christmas Eve. Separate visitations were being held simultaneously for the victims, and on Saturday their funerals will be held at the same time, too.

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After 24 years of coming and going at the Bellaire Police Department, Friday marked Sgt. Jimmie Norman's last trip.

Family, friends and fellow police officers lined the streets of Bellaire in the afternoon for the procession, as Sergeant Norman's body was taken to the Bellaire Central Baptist Church.

"All of us were such a close-knit family and this is just a horrible tragedy. And I just feel terrible for everybody that was involved," said friend Pattie McGwire.

Bellaire's police chief says they're also paying their respects to the innocent bystander killed along with Sergeant Norman.

"We just appreciate community outpouring of support. We don't want our loss to overshadow the loss of the Taylor family at the same time," said Bellaire Police Chief Byron Holloway.

Sergeant Norman was shot and killed Monday trying to arrest a chase suspect. Terry Taylor, 66, the owner of the auto shop where the chase ended, went outside to help the officer and was also shot and killed by the 21-year-old suspect, Harlem Lewis.

A visitation for Taylor was happening simultaneously in northwest Harris County. Norman's family says if could be in two places at the same time, they would.

"Mr. Taylor was a hero I think he came out toe the aid of my brother-in-law. We do appreciate all he did and our thoughts and prayers are with the Taylor family," Norman's brother-in-law, Randy Dobbs, said.

Taylor will receive full police honors at his funeral Saturday including an escort by the Harris County Sheriff's Office, on behalf of the Bellaire Police Department.

Sergeant Norman's funeral is at 2pm on Saturday at Houston's First Baptist Church.

Meanwhile, Lewis has been charged in their murders. ----------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, donations are being accepted to "The 100 Club Survivors Fund," which provides benefits to the dependents of Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers who lose their life in the line of duty.

Contributions are being accepted at:

100 Club Survivors Fund
5555 San Felipe  Suite 520
Houston, TX 77056
Or at The 100 Club website: www.the100club.org.

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