Monroe corrections officer Jayme Biendl was memorialized Tuesday by her family and thousands of mourners, most of whom she had never met but who traveled from as far away as New York to attend the service at Everett's Comcast Arena.

"It's true not just the family mourns but the whole community," said Donna Joss of Marysville, who attended with her sons, Luke, 10, and Jack, 13.

Bagpipes droned, rifle stocks and polished shoes rapped against the floor, and drums rumbled, launching the service. It was attended by Gov. Chris Gregoire and other officials, law enforcement, firefighters and corrections officers from throughout the state and country, as well as Canada.

Nobody in Biendl's family spoke at the service, but they were in attendance. Gregoire spoke to them.

"I want you to know that an entire state joins us here today in mourning your loss," Gregoire said. "She made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. ...

It was all the more painful because it occurred in a sacred place."

Biendl, 34, was strangled Jan. 29 in the chapel at the Washington State Reformatory at Monroe where she worked. She closed the chapel as usual at 8:30 p.m. And at 9:14 p.m., officers found convicted rapist Byron Scherf in the chapel foyer after he didn't show up for the nightly count.

Biendl wasn't found until 10:18 p.m. when officials began to investigate why she had not turned in her radio at the end of her shift, at 9 p.m.

Scherf is the only suspect in her killing, authorities say.

The issue of officer safety was brought to the forefront during her memorial service when Department of Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail said that DOC "staff is in direct contact with some of the most dangerous people in our society" and that officers do it "because it's important work that needs to be done."

He said that now, after Biendl's death, "there is a real sense of fear, anxiety and grief."

"Our staff deserves nothing more than a full commitment to improving prison safety," Vail said. "We will come out of this stronger than before, we will rise above this and we will do it together."

Scott Frakes, superintendent of the Monroe Correctional Complex, said Biendl would be the first to scoff at those who question the wisdom of women serving as corrections officers.

"Jayme was not easily intimidated," he said. "Her success illustrates why women should be in corrections ... . She was 110 percent qualified."

Biendl, who became a corrections officer at 26, was named Corrections Officer of the Year in 2008 and was beloved by her colleagues.

Sgt. Jimmie Fletcher, her supervisor, broke down while speaking of her.

"There will forever be a void in my soul without Jayme. She made the ultimate sacrifice," he said.

Biendl grew up in Granite Falls, the oldest of six siblings. She graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1995, played softball, rode horses and swam in the local river.

She was an "amazing cook," according to a statement written by her family, and loved to try out new recipes. She always had a slow cooker full of something delectable for holiday dinners.

Biendl's badge, keys and radio will be retired, and at the end of the service came the final radio call for her.

"WSR 271. WSR 271," the dispatch voice called. "Corrections Officer Jayme Biendl, gone but not forgotten."

McClatchy-Tribune News Service