Former Selectman Bruce Dearborn will never forget hiring Michael Maloney to be the police chief 12 years ago.

He had done his due diligence as a member of the board and knew Maloney had done good things for morale in the Hampton Police Department.

“He had the kind of personality that suited a small town,” Dearborn said.

The two became friends, often running into each other at Town Hall. On Saturday, Dearborn said he was still in shock over Maloney's death.

About 200 residents gathered Saturday at Greenland Central School, where members of the state emergency services unit tried to help them cope with the tragedy.

Paul Deignan, disaster behavioral health coordinator for the state, said he had eight team members on hand for residents to talk to individually after the community gathering if they wished.

Deignan said what makes dealing with the aftermath of a police officer shooting so difficult is that it is sudden and unexpected.

“I have a son who is a police officer in Candia, and we don't think things like this happen in towns like Greenland or Candia,” Deignan said. “There is a big void.”

He said the town is fortunate to have had Tara Laurent already step into her new role as Greenland police chief, eight days ahead of schedule.

“I think leadership has been re-established,” Deignan said.

After joining with residents during the community gathering, Laurent commented briefly about the message to residents.

“I think the focus needs to remain on Chief Maloney, his life and his ultimate sacrifice,” Laurent said. “Beyond this week, hopefully we'll be able to come together and move forward.”

“State police continue to process the crime scene. They are taking methodical steps, as they do in any investigation,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said late Saturday afternoon.

She said as there are both indoor and outdoor components to the scene, the investigation could continue at least through Sunday, and possibly longer.

Post Road remained closed at Sleepy Hollow, with detour signs at Breakfast Hill Road, where they have been since Thursday night.

The Dearborns and other residents said they came to the community gathering to show their support for Maloney and the job he did.

“Mike did a good job in this town. We had a high respect for everything he tried to do,” Mary Dearborn said. “It is important for us to be together and support each other.”

Police family mourns

In the days since the shooting police departments in nearby towns, along with the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department, have stepped in to handle Greenland's police calls as its members mourn the chief's death.

But the police cruisers and ambulances that lined Post Road Thursday night have been replaced by flower pots with small American flags placed next to mailboxes and in driveways.

Other signs of a community in mourning can be seen along busy Route 33, the main road through town, where many businesses have displayed messages expressing condolences on signs. “Salute to Chief Mike Maloney” read one sign outside Presidential Mortgage.

Message boards have popped up in other towns, as well.

In nearby Exeter, Fire Chief Brian Comeau is mourning his friend of 25 years. He described Maloney as someone who took care of his community.

“He was always there for them. He was a professional and a great guy. It would take a very special person to fill his shoes,” Comeau said.

And in Brentwood, Sgt. Denny Wood and others are organizing the “Chief Mike Maloney Melee,” a party to be held on April 20 — the day Maloney would have retired. The event, to be held at the Holy Grail restaurant in Epping at 8 p.m., is open to anyone.

Like so many others in law enforcement, Wood is struggling to understand the tragedy.

“It was difficult for me because I knew Mike and I've worked with him at the Stratham Fair. He was always a great guy,” said Wood, who considered taking a part-time job in Greenland last year after being encouraged by Maloney.

On the night of the deadly shooting, Wood said, he “didn't know what to think.”

“I couldn't understand why something like that would happen to such a nice guy like that. I guess I began to question my faith, human nature and people,” he said.

Memorial service

A wake and memorial service for slain Maloney have been set for Wednesday and Thursday, the Greenland Police Department announced.

The wake will be held Wednesday at a Hampton funeral home, while the memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday at the Winnicunnet High School athletic field.

Both occasions are expected to bring hundreds of police officers from across the country to participate.

The wake, at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton, will include a law enforcement walk-through, in which police officers will file through. The walk-through is scheduled for Wednesday, 1 to 3 p.m. Each participating police department will bring a departmental patch for presentation to the family.

The public has been invited to pay its respects later Wednesday, 5 to 9 p.m. The memorial service will be at noon Thursday at the Winnacunnet High School Athletic Field. In the event of bad weather, the service will be held in the Winnacunnet High gym.

Police color guards have been invited to participate, and police motorcycle units will serve as escorts in the procession.

The observances are expected to draw thousands. Funeral director Jack Gendron said businesses nearby have agreed to assist with parking. Members of the public can park in the Best Western conference center lot next to the funeral home. Hampton police are expected to announce traffic rules and patterns at the events. Burial will be private.

Staff writer Bill Smith contributed to this report.