Police officers carry the casket of Penn Hills police officer Michael Crawshaw into St. Boniface church in Pittsburgh Friday for his funeral. Crawshaw, 32, was shot in his patrol car with an assault rifle while answering a 911 call Sunday night from a man shot over a drug debt. Crawshaw was advised to wait in his patrol car until backup arrived.

PITTSBURGH — Michael Crawshaw, the suburban Pittsburgh police officer killed Sunday, had a quick smile, took on extra duty so his married colleagues could spend time with their families and was dedicated to his job.

Crawshaw, 32, "did what Jesus did. He laid down his life for us," Roman Catholic Bishop of Pittsburgh David Zubik told hundreds of police officers and others who came to mourn and remember him Friday.

Crawshaw's childhood friend Brandon Verdream said Crawshaw, whom he called by his nickname "Maf," was the friend who could lift anyone's spirits.

"Everyone loved and respected Maf," he said. Crawshaw's loyalty and respect for other were a testament to his upbringing, he said.

Crawshaw's family did not speak at the funeral.

Verdream asked Crawshaw to be a "guardian angel. And we know that you will, with a wink and a smile."

Crawshaw was the first to respond to a 911 call made Sunday night from the home of a man who had just been shot over a $500 drug debt, according to police. Crawshaw was advised to wait in his patrol car until backup arrived.

As he waited, Ronald Robinson, 32, a felon on parole for illegally possessing a handgun, opened fire with an assault rifle, then fled before later turning himself in, police said. Robinson is being held without bail, charged with killing Crawshaw and the other man.

Before the funeral began, hundreds of officers stood solemnly under frigid blue skies across from St. Boniface church in Crawshaw's honor. Police cars parked two abreast stretched a half-mile along the street.

Penn Hills Chief Howard Burton acknowledged he did not know Crawshaw well but said Crawshaw was proud and honored to be a police officer. Crawshaw joined Penn Hills about three years ago after serving on the University of Pittsburgh force.

Some of Crawshaw's colleagues served as pallbearers. During the funeral, officers wept and dabbed teary eyes with handkerchiefs.

Officers from departments in Western Pennsylvania and beyond filled the church past its seating of about 600.

Justin Meyer, 26, an officer in Covington, Ky., drove more than four hours to attend. It was his first police funeral.

He didn't know Crawshaw but said that was beside the point — law enforcement is a community that supports one another.

"The person I'm going to the funeral for knows what I do every day. It's hard to explain to someone who's not in policing," he said. "I haven't been doing this very long, but I have a deep respect for everyone who's been doing this."