Public visitation held for fallen Salt River Police officer Clayton Townsend

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- A public visitation was held for fallen Salt River Police officer Clayton Townsend Monday night.

Officer Townsend was killed during a traffic stop on the Loop 101 on January 8.

The event began with a portion just for family and friends earlier in the night, and it was opened to the public at 8:00 p.m., which saw people, some who didn't even know the officer personally, came out to pay their respects.

The visitation was described as a "quiet event full of prayers". Law enforcement from different agencies shared hugs and warm wards.

The funeral, according to officials, is scheduled for Tuesday, with a procession from Big Surf Water Park in Tempe, to the Christ's Church of the Valley in Peoria.