KANAB, Utah, Feb. 5, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The mood is somber in the Southern Utah city of Kanab, where thousands gathered for the funeral of slain rancher and government protester Robert “LaVoy” Finicum.
Finicum, an Arizona rancher and father of 11, was shot to death Jan. 29 during an armed confrontation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oregon State Police.
Dozens of mourners and militia members gathered Friday morning outside a stake center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Police from several Utah police agencies looked on.
The local office of the Bureau of Land Management was closed Friday, and federal law enforcement kept a low profile at the request of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, according to Lt. Todd Royce of the Utah Highway Patrol.
John Ulbrick drove all the way from California to attend the services.
“I couldn’t not come,” he said. “I feel like I lost a brother.”
That same sentiment echoed by dozens of others outside the church, who said Finicum was not the anti-government militia man he was being made out to be.
One funeral attendee, who refused to provide his name out of fear of government retribution, said Finicum was a beloved family man and a pillar in the community.
“He was the kindest, most gentle man I know. When I heard the news, I cried.”
Kanab resident Shawna Cox, one of the 16 protesters indicted on conspiracy charges for her alleged role in the take over of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge outside of Burns, Oregon, was allowed to attend the funeral after previously being denied by a U.S. district judge in Oregon.
More information on this developing story will be published as it becomes available.
