An Arizona Department of Corrections investigator was laid to rest Thursday, after being violently attacked in his own neighborhood.
More than 700 people attended a funeral mass in downtown Phoenix to give a final salute to Steven Arvallo. He worked for the prison system for more than 20 years. He was a correctional officer, and he served in the K-9 unit.
"He welcomed everybody, had infectious laughter," said Brian Bylbie, Arvallo's former supervisor. "He was just always willing to help out, always willing to assist others."
Lt. Luis Matos said Arvallo was a "social butterfly."
"He was very well loved, very well-liked by everyone," Matos added.
Arvallo was also a Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife Janette and two teenage children, Victoria and Nathan.
"It shouldn't be like this today, we should be fishing or hunting or something, not laying him to rest," Victoria Arvallo said.
Police say an irate neighbor shot and killed Arvallo last week. The suspect later got in a gun battle with DPS troopers near Quartzsite.
