Steve Favela wore several uniforms during a life spent serving his community and country, but it was his family that fueled his ever-present smile, friends and fellow officers said yesterday.

Favela, an eight-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department who spent a decade in the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard reserves, died Nov. 26 from injuries he suffered while escorting President Bush's motorcade five days earlier at Hickam Air Force Base.

He was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in Mililani following a memorial service at Borthwick Mortuary on Maunakea Street.

More than 300 uniformed police officers attended the memorial service, then lined both sides of Beretania Street to salute the hearse carrying Favela's body as it drove by the department's headquarters as part of an honor procession.

"He would be someone that you would want to bring home. You would hope your daughter would bring home someone like him. This was a very humble man with a big smile. He was a very strong family man," said Sgt. Grant Moniz, Favela's cousin and fellow motorcycle officer. "Steve is incredible to work with and a great young man."

For three hours yesterday morning, police officers, FBI agents, firefighters and representatives from every state, county and federal law enforcement agency in Hawai'i, as well as representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force, filed into the mauka chapel at Borthwick Mortuary to say goodbye.

Also in attendance were U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, on behalf of President Bush. Kempthorne read a letter Bush wrote to Favela's family, police said.

"He made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting Laura and me during our visit to Hawaii and we will always be thankful for his services," Bush wrote in the letter read by Kempthorne. "Each of you has our heartfelt sympathies."

Favela's fellow solo-bike officers, dressed in their ceremonial road uniforms with riding boots and a white collar, led the procession of well-wishers into the chapel, past Favela's widow, Barbara, and his body.

Officer Ferdinand Tan, who served with Favela in the U.S. Coast Guard and graduated with him from HPD recruit school in February 1998, said Favela's happiness came from his love for his family, his wife and their children. Tan said the last time he saw Favela was several weeks ago, when the pair went to the shooting range to qualify for their duties with the U.S. Coast Guard reserves.

"I'm still in shock that he's gone," said Tan, speaking outside the chapel yesterday. "Steve was a good friend of mine. Of all the years I've known Steve, he is just an excellent guy."

Honolulu police Chief Boisse Correa described Favela's death as a very difficult time for the department. Correa thanked the community for supporting Favela's family and the department.

"It's a hard day for us. A lot of us are cried out. We've been crying all morning," Correa said. "We're always going to remember Steve. It's a hard time for them (Favela's family) but they're very courageous people and they're going to work through this and we're going to be there for them."

The director of the U.S. Secret Service, Mark Sullivan, also attended yesterday's memorial.

"Nothing prepares us for the loss of a loved one and a fellow officer," Sullivan said. "Steve's selfless service and sacrifice will always be remembered."

After the memorial service, Favela's body, carried in a white hearse, was escorted through Honolulu by about 30 solo-bike officers. As the procession left Ward Avenue and turned onto Beretania Street, about 300 uniformed officers wearing white gloves lined both sides of the street and stood at attention, staring straight ahead.

As the white hearse slowed in front of HPD headquarters, all 300 officers, joined by members of other law enforcement agencies, the military and Duane "Dog" Chapman, slowly raised their hands in salute.

"Steve always had this bright smile. He just exuded happiness," said Sgt. Brian Cook, a fellow solo-bike officer. "Steve loved his family, he would light up when talking about them."

In addition to serving as a police officer, Favela had served 6 1/2 years in the Air National Guard and 3 1/2 years in the Coast Guard Reserve.

Most recently, Favela served as a petty officer with the Coast Guard's Maritime Safety & Security Team.

"It is said that one's wealth is measured by his friends. I believe that, and Steve is one of the wealthiest men I've ever known," said U.S. Coast Guard Commander Tom MacDonald. "We know he represents the best of Ho-nolulu's finest. We will always carry a piece of Steve with us."

Favela died at 9:55 a.m. Nov. 26 from injuries suffered when he crashed on a rain-slick road as he escorted Bush's motorcade to a breakfast with troops.

He was one of three motorcycle officers who crashed near a bend along O'Malley Boulevard as the motorcade left Hickam. The two other officers were treated at a hospital and released.

Favela was the 12th Honolulu motorcycle officer to die in the line of duty since 1923.

A fund for his family and children has been set up at First Hawaiian Bank. People may drop off donations to "Friends of Steve Favela" at any First Hawaiian Bank branch.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Keahi, Matthew and Jacob; daughter, Kiana; parents, Esteban and Emily; brothers, Esteban and Joaquin; sister, Emily; and nieces and nephews.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.