Orlando police officer laid to rest after long battle with cancer

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It was a powerful sight as hundreds of men and women in blue stood silently, remembering one of their own. After years of fighting breast cancer, Officer Karen Long died October 10.  On Friday, her family, friends, and many on the force packed into Northland Church in Longwood to say goodbye.

“I think one of the things that we will remember most about Karen is that big, beautiful, contagious smile," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said.

Long, 41, was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer back in 2007. Doctors treated it aggressively but it returned in 2012 as stage four. Officer Long served on the force for more than 15 years, working as a patrol officer, a member of the Special Victim's Unit, and a school resource officer. Despite what she was going through, Chief Mina said she always had a positive attitude.

"She gave 100 percent and she was loved by all and a pleasure to work with," Mina added.

After the funeral service, the Orlando Police Department escorted a motorcade from Longwood to Orlando to help Officer Long to her final resting place. She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, in the city she loved to serve and protect.