Community says goodbye to Michael Builta
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Officer Michael Builta was laid to rest on Saturday.
/ Courtesy: CSPD
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A funeral service was held Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs for the off-duty Colorado Springs police officer killed Monday in a motorcycle crash.
The accident happened in the intersection of Barnes and Tutt.
Michael Builta was 34. He had been an officer at the Sand Creek substation since 2005.
"Mike, I love you so much. You are my best friend. You are my everything," said Shari Builta, Builta's wife.
There is no doubt Builta will be remembered. Close to 250 people attended the funeral.
Builta's oldest daughter Brittani described her father as a hero.
"I know a man who was a guard, always protecting everyone he loved. I know a man who was the best dad in the world and his name is Michael Builta," Brittani wrote in a letter to her father, which was read during the ceremony.
The father of three and husband for more than 10 years also had quite the reputation for being a bit of comedian.
"He always played jokes on my mom and Brittani, but not me because I would play jokes on mom and Brittani too," Beulah wrote in a letter to her father, which was read during the ceremony.
The dedicated family man and police officer died while enjoying another love in his life: riding his motorcycle.
During the funeral the Builtas' pastor encouraged loved ones not to ask why or what if, saying it will only bring guilt and not healing. Instead, he encouraged everyone to cherish the memories they have.
"I'm thankful that God sent you to me even if just for a short time," Shari Builta said. "Thank you for spending your life with me Michael. I love you. I miss you."
A donation drive is being held to support the Builta family. The event will be this Thursday at Indigo Joe's, 6120 Barnes Road, from 5 p.m. to close.
Those attending can bring anything from cash for the family to school supplies for the children. All of the proceeds will go to the Builta family.
There will also be a run on Thursday evening.
For more information on either event, e-mail the organizer, Kylie Howard, at khoward@d49.org.
An account has also been set up in Builta's name at Ent Federal Credit Union.
