Phillipsburg High School on Saturday opened up its auditorium to the community to mourn the loss of a town police officer whose public service earned the respect of fellow officers and town residents alike.

Hundreds packed the auditorium to pay their respects.

Brett Marino , 47, was a 13-year veteran of the department who died on Oct. 9 after a battle with cancer .

Lehighvalleylive.com, with the family’s permission through the police department, was at the afternoon memorial service to capture the celebration of Marino’s life. Scroll through the gallery above to see the photos.

Following the service, a New Jersey State Trooper helicopter flyover happened as the casket stood outside the school.

A Phillipsburg native, Marino served as a detective in the department’s special operation

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