The body of Clinton Police Officer Gary Michael was returned to the western-Missouri town Wednesday.

Candle light vigil for Clinton Police Officer Gary Michael – Photo courtesy of KDKD

The 37-year-old officer was allegedly gunned down late Sunday night by 39-year-old Ian McCarthy during a traffic stop.

A candle light vigil was held in Michael’s honor Wednesday night.  More than a thousand people gathered in the center of the small town of 9,000 to pay respects in front of the Henry County Court House.

Officers from across the state escorted Michael’s body into the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held Friday from 6 pm to 9pm at the funeral home in Clinton.  A second public viewing will be held at the Benson Convention Center in Clinton from 9:00am to 11:00am Saturday.

Michael’s funeral will be held Saturday at 11:00 am at the convention center.

McCarthy’s been charged with First Degree Murder for the shooting, which carries a possible death sentence.

Questions involving the incident remain unanswered.  Law enforcement personnel haven’t publicly identified the gun used in the shooting of Michael.

Also, it is not known how McCarthy traveled on foot 13 miles after being shot by Officer Michael during the incident Sunday night.

McCarthy crashed and disabled his vehicle two blocks away from where his alleged encounter with Michael took place.  He then alluded law enforcement personnel for most of two days before being captured.

Henry County Sheriff Kent Oberkrom said he thinks McCarthy may have been aided by another person during his time at large.  Oberkrom suggested it’s possible the other person wasn’t aware McCarthy was being pursued by police.