Hundreds attend the funeral of the Orlando policewoman who was gunned down by a fugitive suspected of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend

  • Debra Clayton was remembered for mentoring youth at her funeral service
  • The veteran policewoman was gunned down at a Wal-Mart in Orlando
  • Police are still on the hunt for her alleged killer Markeith Loyd

By Associated Press and Kaileen Gaul and Regina F. Graham For Dailymail.com

Published: 14:52 EST, 14 January 2017 | Updated: 14:58 EST, 14 January 2017

Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was shot outside of a Wal-Mart while off duty Monday

An Orlando police sergeant who was gunned down by a wanted fugitive was remembered Saturday at her funeral service for mentoring youth and her dedication to the community she grew up in.

Hundreds of officers, deputies and central Florida residents are gathering at the First Baptist Church in Orlando to honor Master Sgt. Debra Clayton, who was shot Monday by a fugitive who had been wanted for the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Authorities say Clayton, 42, was killed outside a Wal-Mart store in Orlando last Monday after she approached 41-year-old Markeith Loyd.

Hundreds of officers and deputies have been searching for him since Monday, and a $100,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

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Police officers carry Sgt Debra Clayton's casket on Saturday January 14

Debra Clayton is believed to have been shot by Markeith Loyd who is wanted for the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend

Flowers were placed on Debra Clayton's patrol vehicle after she is killed in a parking lot 

Clayton had worked for the Orlando Police Department for 17 years, most recently as a supervisor for a patrol division in the neighborhood where she was shot. She previously had worked in investigations and as a school resource officer.

The master sergeant was one of the officers who responded to the shooting at Pulse nightclub in which 49 patrons were killed. Last June's massacre in Orlando was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

She was married and has a college-aged son.

Clayton was remembered most for her community activities, especially when it came to youth programs. She participated in rowing competitions with teenagers and was active in an Urban League anti-violence task force.

Civilians create a memorial where Sgt Debra Clayton was shot on Monday

Police are still hinting for Markeith Loyd who is believed to have shot Debra Clayton

At 7.19am Monday, officers radioed in to say she had been shot and the first responding officers on scene began CPR on Clayton. She was pronounced dead at 7.40am at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

While trying to flee, Loyd fired at another deputy in a SUV, who was not injured. Loyd then carjacked a vehicle before getting out of the vehicle and running off, police said.

Officials said Loyd was spotted at the intersection of North Lane and Pine Hills Drive by a deputy who followed him to a nearby apartment complex.

Loyd, 41, is considered to be armed and dangerous and police are asking anyone who knows his whereabouts to please call 1-800-423-TIPS. 

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