About 25 Harvard Police officers were among thousands of police from across the Northeast who attended yesterday's funeral of a Boston officer shot in the line of duty.

Thomas F. Rose, a member of the Boston Police Department since 1980, was shot with his own gun Friday at a downtown police station after a man charged with theft tried to escape from custody.

"He was very, very well liked," said Police Chief Paul F. Johnson, who added that there was "plenty of emotion" at the service. "We recognize that this can happen to any of us."

About seven Harvard Police who are members of the Honor Guard, a voluntary group of officers which take part in funerals and civic celebrations, helped lead a procession of about 4,000 police who came from as far as Maine and New York.