Ezell Ford funeral services held in South Los Angeles church

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Funeral services were held Saturday in South Los Angeles for Ezell Ford, the man who was shot and killed by Los Angeles police earlier this month.

His funeral began at about 11 a.m. at First African Methodist Episcopal Church with a song and prayer, followed by moving words by loved ones.

"We want to tell you something, so there won't be any doubt. You're so wonderful to think of and so hard to live without," said Dorothy Clark, Ford's grandmother.

Ford's casket was expected to be carried on a horse-drawn carriage through Inglewood Park Cemetery, where he was interred.

Police have said Officers Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas approached Ford, 25, during an investigative stop in South Los Angeles on Aug. 11. They said Ford was making "suspicious movements" before grabbing an officer and trying to take the officer's gun.

The officer's partner then shot Ford, who was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

The shooting has sparked a series of protests questioning the use of unnecessary force. Some witnesses have said that Ford had not been resisting and was laying on the ground when he was shot in the back. Family members said he suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Ford's family now plans to file a Federal civil lawsuit against the LAPD. Steven Lerman, their attorney, also represented Rodney King in 1992.

"Murder by badge is murder nonetheless," Lerman said.

Ford's death also spurred calls for action from community leaders and activists, including funeral special guest U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

"Ezell Ford did not deserve to die simply because he was mentally challenged," Waters said.

L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas was also in attendance.

"There is yet unfinished business with respect to law enforcement," he said.

An autopsy was not expected to be released to prevent potential witnesses from reading about the details, police said. The two officers involved in the shooting are currently on paid leave.

Civil leaders call for witnesses in Ezell Ford shooting

Meantime, local civil rights leaders gathered Saturday to make a public appeal for witnesses to come forward in Ford's shooting.

They held a news conference near the corner of 65th Street and Broadway, where Ford was shot.

Civil rights leaders said it was the LAPD who requested their help in calling for witnesses to aid the investigation.

"The version that we have heard over and over again is Ezell Ford was gunned down by the LAPD. It was no provocation, it was a death that should not have happened," said Earl Ofari Hutchison, president of L.A. Urban Policy Roundtable. "So as a result of that, we are asking people once again to come forward."

Police officials have promised a fair and impartial investigation, but Hutchison said that cannot happen without hearing from witnesses.

Any witnesses have been asked to call the LAPD toll free 24-hour number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

City News Service contributed to this report.