SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Gustavo Padilla-Ramirez held his face in his hands and sobbed as “Amazing Grace” was played over the speakers.

It was the song his younger brother, Sgt. Ramirez Padilla-Ramirez, had requested be played at his funeral if something were to happen to him.

On Thursday, family members learned that Ramirez, from San Luis, Ariz., had been killed in combat while serving in the war with Iraq. He was 25 and the father of two young boys.

Ramirez had been missing in action for more than a week before the family received the news of his death, which made him the fourth Arizona resident killed in action in the Middle East. He joined the Marines as a teenager and was in the tail end of a second term.

Ramirez was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-371, which provides ground support for Marine aviation squadrons. More than 200 Yuma-based Marines belonging to the squadron deployed to the Gulf region the week of Feb. 15.

On Friday, family members of the fallen Marine — who was stationed at Marine Air Corps Station Yuma — were joined by hundreds of San Luis, Ariz., residents in paying tribute to Ramirez and the more than 50 residents that are currently serving in the military.

Officials said the ceremony had originally been planned as a private one to honor the seven former San Luis Explorers, including Ramirez, serving in Iraq. But after they learned of the number of military members serving, it was decided residents would welcome a chance to publicly thank their loved ones.

"We wanted to show some support for the families," said San Luis Police Lt. Heriberto Bejarano. "We are hoping and praying that everyone comes back home safe and sound."

As part of the ceremony, anyone with a family member serving in the military was invited to put a picture of their loved one on a black felt wall. By the end of the day there were more than 30 pictures on the wall.

Ramirez's family members sat up front and comforted each other throughout the ceremony. Some, like Gustavo, hid their tears in the their hands while Lorenza Padilla, Ramirez's mother, hid them behind her glasses.

During his speech to the crowd that had gathered outside of city hall, Bejarano talked about how Ramirez's death has greatly affected a police department that considered him a brother and a city that has come to consider him a son.

Bejarano said Ramirez told him he wanted “Amazing Grace” to be played if something were to happen to him before he was able to get certified as a police officer, something he was more than halfway finished with when he was deployed.

Bejarano said Ramirez first started hanging around the police station when he was 12-years-old and wanted to join the Explorers Club. But because of an age requirement, he had to wait until he was 14 to join.

"Since then, he lived here," said Bejarano, who was one of several officers to wear a black band over their badges in memory of Ramirez.

Bejarano said the wall will stand until the war is over.

"Once everything is over, they can come back and personally take those photos down," Bejarano said.

San Luis Police Chief John Miranda said the wall will likely not be the only memorial where Ramirez's likeness will be seen in San Luis.

He said a Yuma resident recently contacted him to ask about possibly erecting a statue of Ramirez. Though Miranda said he welcomes the idea of honoring Ramirez, he also struggles with what such an honor means.

"It makes me feel good that they want to do that," Miranda said. "But at the same time it hurts to know that this kid, who I've known for a long time, is no longer with us."