Pastor at Grace Community Church reflects on fallen officer's faith

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Fallen Milwaukee Police Officer Michael Michalski was a religious man who worshipped at Grace Community Church in West Allis.

“He will be greatly missed”, Pastor Ted Groves said. “There will be a big hole in our church without him there. He is irreplaceable.”

Pastor Groves said Grace Community Church will be leading Officer Michalski’s funeral service in Oak Creek Wednesday.

A video being shared on social media shows Officer Michalski sharing his story of faith to a local ministry.

“The Lord has changed my heart,” Officer Michalski said. “He has softened my heart. He has opened my eyes to my sins.”

Officer Michalski said he found God when he was 47, and his newfound faith changed how he policed.

“When I leave work now instead of cursing and hating every person that I’m involved in arresting I pray for them,” Officer Michalski said.

Pastor Groves says Officer Michalski mentored other men at church and was the kind of guy who stayed after the service to help clean up. Officer Michalski was at church this past Sunday, just a few days before he was shot and killed in the line of duty.

“We grieve, we’re very sad, but we know he’s in a better place and that we will join him one of these days,” Pastor Groves said.

Officer Michalski's funeral will be held next Wednesday, August 1 at Oak Creek Assembly of God located at 7311 S. 13th Street in Oak Creek. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the service starting at 3 p.m.

A GoFundMe has been set up in Michalski's name for his family. This fundraiser has been vetted by the Milwaukee Police Department. Friday afternoon the goal was $1,000 with already $500 raised. By Friday evening the goal was raised to $20,000 and nearly $4,000 had been raised by 67 people in 20 hours. To donate click here.

A memorial fund has also been established at Tri-City Bank.