I am writing about a funeral I attended Dec. 14. Everything about the service was very good at the funeral home. But what happened on the way to the cemetery upset me completely.

We left the funeral home, which was in Florence, and the Florence police were right there and did a wonderful job, stopping traffic. They took us over the Singing River Bridge and of course their control ended there. I was expecting the Muscle Shoals Police Department to pick up the funeral procession, but they were no where in sight.

The public started cutting in and out of the procession, and/or passing the procession like it is no big deal. All the cars in the procession had their lights and/or emergency flashers on. The one Muscle Shoals police car setting at Avalon Boulevard did nothing.

The procession got broke up by the traffic light. From there it was dog eat dog with vehicles cutting in and out until we got to Colbert Memorial Garden cemetery. After the graveside service, I jumped on the funeral home about no police escort by the Muscle Shoals police. I was informed that they were notified but was told that since the funeral home could not give them the precise time, the police was having a shift change during that time frame. No respect for the deceased at all. The action by the Muscle Shoals Police Department didn’t set well with many of the mourners.

I believe the Police Department owes the family an apology. In addition, some means of identifying a funeral procession other than just lights on is needed. Most vehicles now days have their lights on when the engine is running.

Jim Mullins

Sheffield