About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride

About 300 people attended a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran on Thursday in front of the Cortez Police Department building.

After a moment of silence, several co-workers spoke about Moran and his impact on them and their careers – how he could be tough on them as they learned their jobs and in the next breath how kind and caring he was.

People in the crowd shared hugs and tears as speakers talked about what a loss his death represented for the community.

Moran, a combat Marine who joined the Cortez Police Department in 2012, was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop on Wednesday.

About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department Sgt. Michael Moran on Thursday in front of the CPD building. Moran was fatally shot in the line of duty on Wednesday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department Sgt. Michael Moran on Thursday in front of the CPD building. Moran was fatally shot in the line of duty on Wednesday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride
Alex Stewart, 6, takes part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday during a vigil at the CPD building. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Alex Stewart, 6, takes part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday during a vigil at the CPD building. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride
Corin Wolf, right, hands a candle to Elisa Lukas, as Amanda Puett hands one to Cortez Police officer Karla Ross during the candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Corin Wolf, right, hands a candle to Elisa Lukas, as Amanda Puett hands one to Cortez Police officer Karla Ross during the candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride

About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride

Cortez Councilman Matt Keefauver, speaks during the candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cortez Councilman Matt Keefauver, speaks during the candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride
About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride
About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran on Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
About 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil for Cortez Police Department officer Sgt. Michael Moran on Thursday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride