A funeral and motor procession that’s expected to be inspiring will happen Friday in south metro Denver, as Deputy Zackari Parrish is laid to rest at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch.

He had been a Douglas County deputy for seven months after two years as a Castle Rock police officer. He was fatally wounded Sunday in an ambush at Copper Canyon Apartment complex in Highlands Ranch, which left four other officers injured. The gunman, Matthew Riehl, was killed by a SWAT team.

Gov. John Hickenlooper said Thursday afternoon he had not yet reached out to Parrish’s family, because he’s too familiar with these kinds of tragedies. His time as governor has weathered the Aurora theater shooting and deadly wildfires in 2012, followed by deadly floods and the assassination of the state prisons chief in 2013.

“It’s something once you’ve been through this you see how deeply it impacts so many people,” the governor said in his office.

The 29-year-old deputy was a husband and father of two young children. Hickenlooper said he hasn’t spoken with the Parrish’s wife, Gracie, yet.

“I think oftentimes, the last thing she wants is some governor to call up and offer their heartfelt condolences,” Hickenlooper said.

The governor said he’s learned a lot about the officer, though, and there’s not doubt he was a good person who was living a good life.

“I want to do anything I can to help this family in any way that I can,” Hickenlooper said.

And for now, he’s convinced, that means giving them time and space to grieve.