John Gill, a U.S. Army veteran, was laid to rest Thursday at Fort
Custer National Cemetery following a service at Langeland Family
Funeral Homes in downtown Kalamazoo. Gill's funeral came exactly one
week after he was shot and killed by a Kalamazoo Department of Public
Safety officer at Madeira Apartments in the 1600 block of East Cork
Street. Little was mentioned at the service Thursday about the
circumstances surrounding Gill's death. But, while recalling memories
of his slain uncle, Gill's nephew Minister Dwayne Watkins said, "I want
the record set straight today. Justice will prevail." Police say
that about 3 p.m. Sept. 30, Sgt. Stacey Geik returned to the scene of
an apartment fire that had occurred earlier in the day at Madeira. He
reportedly was confronted by Gill, who announced he had a gun and then
threatened the officer with the firearm. Officials have said Geik
commanded Gill to drop the handgun about a dozen times, but Gill
stepped toward the officer. Geik then fired his service pistol twice.
Gill died at the apartment. However, Gill's family members Thursday
questioned the account released by authorities. Jerry McNeely, president of the local NAACP chapter, said his
organization also is conducting an inquiry into the shooting at the
request of Gill's relatives. [more 
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