Memorial service to be held Saturday for Chandler Officer Farrar

PHOENIX — A memorial service will be held Saturday for the Chandler police officer who was killed last week in the line of duty.

The service for Christopher Farrar will begin at 9 a.m. at Compass Christian Church, located at 1825 S. Alma School Road in Chandler.

The funeral will be open to the public but space is limited. Chandler police and the city of Chandler will live stream the event.

Before the service, a public viewing will be held at the church on Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The procession will also take place on the day of the viewing, starting at about 1:10 p.m. in the area of 35th Avenue and Interstate 10.

The escort will end at Chandler Fashion Center near the old Nordstrom’s building.

Between 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m., the official procession will begin there and end at the church.

Farrar, 50, died late Thursday in Gilbert after he was hit by a suspect in a stolen vehicle.

Authorities arrested Jonathan Altland, 25, and charged him with murder, aggravated assault and auto theft.

Altland is accused of leading law enforcement officers on a chase that began as a traffic stop in Pinal County, where sheriff’s deputies said he fired at them before fleeing.

Pursuit continued through Chandler and into Gilbert before Altland was captured at a car dealership near Loop 202 and Val Vista Drive. Police said Friday Altland stole a vehicle there and ran over officers in his escape attempt.

Gilbert Police Officer Rico Aranda suffered a serious head injury when he also was struck by the vehicle.

Proceeds from a car wash in Chandler on Monday went to Farrar’s family.

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