BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — The funeral for the Boynton Beach teenager who died after an attempted traffic stop by police last month go took place Saturday morning.
Jermaine Horne Sr. remembered Stanley Davis III as a joyous boy on and off the football field.
"We're going to miss him. You know, it's hurting all of us as a community," said Horne. "I'm always going to remember his smile. Always remember his smile, along with conversations that we used to have. I keep that in my heart. It was personal. But his smile is something I will never forget."
Horne was among the many people who came to support the Davis family on the practice field at Ezell Hester Jr. Community Center, where the 13-year-old once played. His teammates wore their jerseys to remember "SJ."
Rich O'Neil said his son played with Davis.
"Couldn't ask for your son to be friends with a better kid," said O'Neil.
The two have had tough conversations in recent days.
"Way too young to lose somebody and lose a kid," said O'Neil. "It's very difficult to explain to your son at 13 years old how to grieve a loss like this."
Earlier in the day, family and friends comforted one another as they entered St. John's Baptist Church in Boynton Beach for the funeral service. Some friends rode their bikes to show their support.
Davis was riding his dirt bike when he died.
"We keep their family in our prayers everyday," said O'Neil. "We hope justice comes and justice is served for this. This is just a horrible situation that should have never happened."
To honor Davis, the Boynton Beach Bulldogs will retire his No. 6 jersey, except for one person.
"The only individual that will wear it is his little baby brother," said Horne. "He'll wear the No. 6 and 'Davis' on the back. That's the only one in the park this season."
