Funeral held for Miss. police officer

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WALA) - This was the second time family members and friends have gathered together to say goodbye to Stephen Bond.

This time the officer's cremated remains were there. His wife Angela Bond never gave up hope that his body would someday be found.

"I knew in my heart he would. I knew he wanted to come home. I knew it was just a matter of time," she said.

Bond disappeared when the boat he was on overturned during a fishing trip last May. Four other people on board survived.

Bond's body was found by fishermen eight months later near the Chandeleur Islands in Louisiana.

"I thank those fishermen everyday. Even though they just came across him. They were a blessing," Bond said.

The body was finally returned home this month for the funeral. Pictures of Bond in his uniform and others with his children were on display. There were also symbols of some of the other things Bond enjoyed during his life.

"It's all about him. When you walk in there, you'll hear the music playing, it's his music, what he liked, and that's - we're happy to have him home," she explained.

His younger sister Amy Hunter said despite the sadness, it was good to be able to attend a real funeral for the brother she loved.

"We had the memorial service, but this one, this is a really chance for us to celebrate him. Celebrate the miracle of finding him, " Hunter said.

Everyone has their own memories of Stephen, but his sister said there's one memory she hopes will be her brother's legacy.

"He always protected us. His children were his world. He was a protector. That's what I want people to remember him by," she said.

The four people who survived the boating accident spent 24 hours in the water before they were rescued by the Coast Guard.