Citizens Academy shooting victim remembered in funeral

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Those who knew Mary Knowlton best bid their final farewells to the beloved retired librarian who died when a police officer shot her last week during a training exercise at a Citizens Police Academy.

Knowlton’s funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, 507 W. Marion Ave., a week after her death at the age of 73. Lee Coel, the officer who pulled the trigger, is on administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducts an investigation. Past incidents, including his violent arrest of a man riding on a bicycle in 2015, have come under sharp scrutiny since the shooting.

Family members have said they’ll decide whether to press charges after the funeral. Knowlton’s son and husband have spoken of forgiveness in the days since the death of their loved one.

“She affected a lot of lives. Especially mine,” her son, Steven Knowlton, said in an interview last week. “Because I’ll tell you what, if she didn’t affect my life, I’d probably be harboring a lot of hate and resentment right now and probably went revenge. But I know better. And I know it only breeds more.”

Both family and friends remember Knowlton for her willingness to go out of her way to open her heart to others. She was also active at the Bread of Life Mission, a religion-based homeless shelter at 6454 Scott St. She also served as president and later a board member of the Friends of the Punta Gorda Library.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the church, which used an overflow room to accommodate everyone. The block of Gill Street that runs beside the church was blocked off at noon Tuesday to prepare for the ceremony.

Grief counseling is available free of charge through Tidewell Hospice, city officials said. A session will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 in the community room at Laishley Park Municipal Marina, 120 Laishley Court, Lewis said. Free counseling is also available by calling 941-979-4300 and asking for Michelle Gordin.