Fallen Davis officer Natalie Corona remembered by thousands at memorial

DAVIS, Calif. (KGO) -- It was a sad ending in Davis Friday to a young life and police career. Twenty-two-year-old Officer Natalie Corona died after being shot to death at an accident scene.

VIDEO: Davis police officer's father tearfully reads eulogy at memorial

On Friday afternoon, there was a solemn procession from the memorial back to her hometown of Arbuckle.

As many as 5,000 police and public servants came from as far away as Boston and New York City, plus childhood friends from Ofc. Corona's hometown of Arbuckle.

VIDEO: Billy Ray Cyrus performs song at memorial for fallen Davis police officer

Ofc. Corona died on the night of January 10 while working an accident scene in downtown Davis, shot to death by a seemingly troubled suspect with unknown motives.

She had been working alone just a couple of weeks but, as the daughter of a peace officer, those who knew her describe her as no rookie. Nor did she sound like it when applying for the job.

"She wanted to be a cop. It was in her blood. She wanted to do this," said Davis Police Department Chief Darren Pytel.

VIDEO: Davis police officer's sisters describe her love of the job

The memorial opened with Billy Ray Cyrus, singing a song he says he has performed at too many of these gatherings. Near the end, Merced Corona, Natalie's father and inspiration, placed no guilt or blame.

"God placed Natalie on that spot. And he called her into his presence," he said.

Ofc. Corona was 22 years old. Her friends say she was wise well beyond them - a loss for who she was and would have been.

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Take a look at more stories and videos about Officer Natalie Corona.