More than 1,000 police officers saluted at the flag-draped coffin of a Jersey City police lieutenant who was struck and killed on the New Jersey Turnpike after a traffic accident last week.

Newark archbishop Cardinal Joseph Tobin celebrated Mass for 49-year-old Lt. Christopher Robateau during his funeral Thursday at St. Aeden's Church in Jersey City.

Bagpipes were played along Bergen Avenue during the morning funeral procession.

During the funeral service, Robateau was remembered as one of Jersey City's finest officers by Mayor Steven Fulop.

“His mission was exemplified by a strong an admirable passion that led him to receive 35 excellent police service awards, and one community service excellent police officer award during his career,” Fulop said. “When Chief Kelly said last week that Lt. Robateau may have been our best officer, I think the lieutenant’s record shows this wasn't just rhetoric…it was reality.”

Robateau’s three sons also spoke at the service about what type of man their father was to them.

Authorities have said Robateau was in uniform and on his way to work Friday when he was involved in a minor accident with a large truck while heading northbound near Exit 14. He got out of his vehicle to assist the truck driver but was struck by a pickup before he reached the other driver.