Private funeral services, public support for slain Iraq war veteran

HOOVER, AL (WBRC) - A private funeral services were held Sunday for Mike Gilotti, an Iraqi War veteran who was shot on Tuesday in front of his Hoover home as he left for the gym.

Police say it was possible that Gilotti encountered someone trying to break into cars during the early morning hours.

While the funeral services were private, there was a public showing of support for the veteran who his wife says served 15 months in Iraq as a tank commander and First Lieutenant.

Hundreds of people lined Route 150 in Ross Bridge before his funeral waving American flags hoping to see his funeral procession.

At the church, dozens of veterans, who say they did not know Gilotti personally, placed more flags in the ground surrounding the church today to show appreciation and respect for his service.

The veterans were members of Patriot Guard Riders of Alabama.

"Because of men like him, we have the freedoms that we have today. People are forgetting that. Without their service, we're not allowed to do what we can do. So, he's paid it forward and this is our small we that we can pay it back," said John Burke of Patriot Guard Riders.

Police are also asking people to come forward if they noticed any suspicious people or vehicles, especially between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Tuesday, or if they have video surveillance that captures images of the street or the front of their homes.

If you have any information that could help detectives, call Sgt. Keith Czeskleba at 205-739-6795 or the Hoover Police Department at 205-822-5300.

To leave an anonymous tip and be eligible for a cash reward, call 205-254-7777.

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