Springdale police officers once again proved how strong their brotherhood and sisterhood is as they boarded a bus outside the police department Friday morning. "You can just feel it around the PD every single day. There is a greater sense of unity," said Springdale police Chief Thomas Wells.Their destination Friday was the Hamilton County Courthouse.Although the sun shined down as they stepped off the bus and walked inside, their mood was dark.They filled a courtroom seeking justice for two of their own -- Officer Kaia Grant and Sgt. Andy Davis."There are other agencies covering for us so that we could all be here together for this," Wells said. "That's that bond in public safety, that we take care of each other, and that's what they're doing for us today."Terry Blankenship, 43, the man who killed Grant by intentionally swerving his truck into her last year pleaded guilty to aggravated murder. Blankenship also injured Davis. Now retired, Davis sat among his peers as Grant's mother, Gina Mobley, found the courage to speak about her daughter."She grew to become a kind, loving, smart, honorable, gracious human being. She loved her family. She loved her dog Athen, and she loved the life of a public servant," Mobley said. "The defendant's malicious, evil actions ended my daughter's life. He stole her future and her dreams." Blankenship was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years."This is as close, in my opinion, to getting the death penalty as possible. Thirty years is a long time given Mr. Blankenship's age, and in all likelihood, it probably will be a death sentence," Wells said. After the hearing, Grant's family released the following statement:"No parent should ever have to outlive their child. Kaia's father will never walk his daughter down the aisle. Kaia's mother will never experience having a baby shower for her daughter. The fabric of the family's soul has been shredded by the senseless act by someone who can only be described as evil. We ask for prayers to help the family through the grieving process and to let go of anger of having our beautiful daughter, sister, niece, and granddaughter taken away from us far too soon."Well educated and bilingual, Kaia Grant could have been anything she wanted to be. She chose a life of service to people. She exemplified best in what every police chief wants in an officer. Professionalism, disciplined, well spoken, and empathetic. The family is honored and humbled by the many stories of Kaia's service and the tremendous impact she had on the Springdale Police Department and the greater community at the age of thirty-three (33)."The family received such a tremendous outpouring of support from friends, law enforcement and the community we can not name all of them. However, we do want to recognize and acknowledge the following:Seth Hagaman, Senior Special Agent of the Ohio Attorney General's OfficeKim Schneidt, Advocate for the Hamilton County Victims/Witness ProgramDavid Yost, State Attorney GeneralJoseph T. Deters, Prosecuting Attorney for Hamilton County andChief Thomas Wells and the Springdale Police Department"Kaia was totally committed to being a police officer. Kaia was also totally committed to keeping her professional life and her private life separate. To that end, the family asks that you respect their need for privacy as we continue to mourn the loss of Kaia Grant."

Funeral arrangements have been finalized for a Springdale police officer killed in the line of duty.Kaia Grant, 33, will be honored Sunday morning with a service and procession.Although funerals are considered exempt from Gov. Mike DeWine's "Stay at Home" order, concessions are being made. The Springdale Police Department that all officers and members of the community practice social distancing. A police official is assigned the sole responsibility of ensuring our compliance with the Governor's order, and the officer has worked closely with the Springdale Health Commissioner.Beginning at 9 a.m., the police procession will leave Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.Marked Police vehicles and Fire apparatus wishing to be in the procession should arrive at Spring Grove Cemetery no later than 8 a.m. The procession will travel up State Route 4 and will make stops at Wyoming High School and Springdale Police and Fire Departments. It will then proceed Northeast on Lawnview Ave to East on Kemper Rd to South on Century Blvd to the Vineyard Church in Springdale. The remainder of the service will be held at the Vineyard Church. Much of the procession route is along residential streets. The Springdale Police Department is encouraging residents to step outside their homes along the route to support Officer Grant and her family in a safe and responsible manner.A private service will be held inside the church for members of Grant's family and Springdale police officers.Others are asked to watch via a live stream.An outdoor ceremony at the church will follow."The traditions you're used to seeing -- 21 gun salute, helicopter flyover, bagpiper -- those things will all take place to honor Kaia," said Springdale police Officer Keenan Riordan. Since Grant's death last Saturday, Springdale Police Chief Thomas Wells said his department has received an overwhelming amount of support from the community and other police agencies. "It doesn't matter if his patch says Colerain or mine says Springdale. It's blue, and we're all together," Wells said. Wells also pointed out flowers that Springdale Public Works employees planted to form a "K.""It's just so heartwarming to see that. It's beautiful. We didn't know they did that, and it hit us like a ton of bricks, but that's the kind of beautiful love that's going on here," Wells said.Wells also asked that the community keep Springdale Sgt. Andy Davis in their thoughts and prayers. Davis was injured Saturday night after responding to the same incident as Grant."I just want to make sure we don't forget about Sgt. Davis. He is doing well. He's recovering from his injuries," Wells said. During this difficult time for the city of Springdale, officers from Colerain, Blue Ash, Forest Park and Sharonville have stepped in to help cover shifts so coworkers of Grant and Davis can grieve and be there for each other."I just can't thank them enough," Wells said.Here is the schedule for services at Vineyard Church:10:30am to 11:00am – Private Family Viewing. Officers to remain in their vehicles or small groups.11:00am to 12:15pm – Service inside church reserved for family and Springdale Police Personnel.12:15pm to 1:30pm – Viewing for Springdale Police, Fire, elected officials, and family/friends.1:30pm to 2:00pm – Ceremonial Honors for Officer Grant on Vineyard property outdoors. Officers will stand in formation practicing social distancing.2:00pm – Funeral endsSpringdale Police are expected to release an exact procession route later this week.