The proud dad of tragic garda Colm Horkan heartbreakingly said he didn't think he would see his son being buried before him.
The hugely popular detective, from Charlestown in Co Mayo, was gunned down on Wednesday night in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
Mr Horkan's local priest and family friend Fr Tommy Johnston on Friday morning paid tribute to the garda, describing him as a "lovely, caring and kind" person.
He said: "He was a lovely man. He was an absolute gentleman.
"He was very kind and very involved in the local community, particularly with the GAA.
"He played at a younger age and then he was involved in training the younger age groups.
"He was just a lovely guy, he had a nice way with him.
"He was very caring and he always was wise."
Fr Johnston met with Colm's dad Marty at the graveyard in Charlestown on Thursday.
And speaking to RTE Radio One, he said: "Oh he was [very proud of him].
"He's obviously saddened and as he said to me yesterday: 'I didn't think Colm would be going down before me.'
"It's one of the great sadnesses when a parent has to stand at the grave of their child and that's what has happened."
Fr Johnston said no funeral arrangements have yet been made.
A suspect, in his 40s, was arrested in connection with the murder and is being detained at Castlerea Garda Station.
Det Horkan was shot dead with his own official garda gun after an altercation with a man on Main Street in the town.
Speaking on Thursday, a garda spokesman said: "Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information following the fatal shooting of Detective Garda Colm Horkan on 17/06/2020 in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
"As this incident involves an official Garda firearm the incident has been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission under Section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act.
"An Garda Síochána continue to investigate this incident.
"Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the Castlerea Town Centre area between 11pm on 17/06/2020 and 12:30am on 18/06/2020, particularly any road users who may have dash cam footage, to contact the incident room in Castlerea Garda Station on 094 962 1635."
