He watched as officers surrounded his father's coffin for a salute, then John Michalski bravely took the stage.
"I know he'd want me to hold my head up high and keep moving forward in life no matter what it throws at me," he said at the funeral.
Watch the full video of his speech here:
John is 19-years-old. His father, Officer Michael Michalski, was killed in the line of duty last week. He was only 52-years-old.
"I can't help but feel that there was so much left for me to learn from him," John said. "So many experiences I had yet to go through with him."
But the 19 years he did have with his dad, were full of laughs and love.
- Milwaukee Pays Tribute To Officer Michael Michalski [GALLERY]
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"His laugh was contagious," John describes. "It's the little things I'll miss most. Sitting at a diner and talking, driving in his truck, talking about movies and TV shows, walking the dog."
"The most important thing my dad gave me was, put simply, himself. By that I mean he was a father I could look up to as a role model and use him as an example of how I should behave around others and live life," John said. "He was always there."
Fellow police officers reached out to John.
"I've been told how so many people looked up to him, and how they tried to live up to his example as an officer and human being," John said. "I was particularly blown away when I was told about how he helped a fellow officer in need, and convinced him not to take his own life."
John asked everyone to remember and honor his dad, by stepping up for others whenever possible. Then, he ended with a heartbreaking final goodbye.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Dad."
