West Aurora teacher Brandi Martin videos the funeral procession of Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Students from West Aurora High School gather outside the school to pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

A hearse carrying the body of SPC Christopher Patterson proceeds down Commonwealth Avenue on the campus of West Aurora High School where students, staff and military personnel stood and paid their respects on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of West Aurora High School

Marine Cpl. Santos Castellano, West Aurora High School 2007 graduate and friend of the late Spc. Christopher A. Patterson waits for his funeral procession to pass the school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Students from West Aurora High School pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Students and staff from West Aurora High School are joined by members of the public to pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

North Aurora firefighters Mark Bozik, Frank Schimpf and Evan Darger help unfurl a 30 x 60 flag to be hung in front of West Aurora High School for Spc. Christopher A. Patterson's funeral procession to pass under on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

People start to gather outside West Aurora High School to pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson before his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

West Aurora athletic director Andy Lutzenkirchen and students pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Students from West Aurora High School pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

North Aurora firefighter Evan Darger, left, and Aurora firefighter Dan Aloisio hold a 30 x 60 flag from touching the ground as it gets hoisted over the inner drive to West Aurora High School for the funeral procession of Spc. Christopher A. Patterson on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 graduate, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Students from West Aurora High School pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 grad, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Students from West Aurora High School pay their respects to Spc. Christopher A. Patterson as his funeral procession passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 grad, was killed on January 6. The auditorium building, seen here, is where Patterson spent much of his time at the school while being involved in choir.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Junior John Aldana, 16, is one of several students from West Aurora High School who held flags during the funeral procession of Spc. Christopher A. Patterson passes his former school on Friday, January 20. Patterson, a 2009 grad, was killed on January 6.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer