Funeral to be held for man killed by South Carolina police officer

By Harriet McLeod SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (Reuters) - A memorial service will be held Saturday for Walter Scott, the South Carolina father of four whose death has become the latest flashpoint in the debate over U.S. police tactics after he was shot in the back while running from a white patrolman last week. Scott's family is expected to be escorted to the funeral by police from North Charleston, the city that fired Officer Michael Slager after he was charged with murder when a cell phone video emerged showing him shooting at Scott's back eight times on April 4. The city wants to give Scott's family "the utmost respect and the respect that the gentleman who is deceased deserves," North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said at a press conference a few days before the funeral. The service will be held at 11 a.m. EDT at W.O.R.D. Ministries Christian Center in Summerville, Scott's family said.

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