It was Western Pennsylvania's day to say goodbye to fallen heroes.

While a crowded Oakland cathedral mourned two Pittsburgh firefighters killed on duty, a contingent of U.S. Marines in Level Green, Westmoreland County, saluted former Lt. Col. Robert Zangas.

Tony Tye, Post-Gazette An honor guard of U.S. Marines from the 4th Civil Affairs Group in Washington, D.C., carry the casket of Lt. Col. Robert Zangas, 44, after a funeral service yesterday at Level Green Presbyterian Church. Zangas, a native of Trafford, was killed earlier this week while working as a civilian in Iraq. He had earlier served in Iraq on active duty as a Marine. Click photo for larger image.

The 44-year-old father of three, who had worked since December in Iraq as a Department of Defense adviser, was shot to death March 9 outside Hillah, about 35 miles south of Baghdad.

He died alongside fellow consultant Fern Holland, 33, of Oklahoma, and the pair's Iraqi translator.

Four members of the new Iraqi police force, forged under the U.S.-led coalition's supervision, were held for interrogation in the killings, as were a former member of the Iraqi police force during Saddam Hussein's regime, and a sixth man.

Their arrests prompted U.S. officials to review the four suspected police officers' backgrounds for criminal records or ties to the regime.

First reports suggested that the Americans were shot after they stopped at a police checkpoint.

Later, investigators found that they likely were killed in a drive-by shooting, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy chief of operations for the coalition, said this week.

Zangas and Holland were the first American civilians killed in occupied Iraq.

Outdoor military honors followed Zangas' Presbyterian funeral yesterday.

Zangas, of Trafford, served in Operation Desert Storm as well as last year's Iraq invasion. He stayed in Iraq with the 4th Civil Affairs Group for six months before his term of service ran out. In December, he went back to Iraq as a Defense Department civilian employee, advising Iraqis on how to rebuild their nation's media infrastructure. A dedicated diarist, he kept friends at home informed with postings on a Web site.

"This was a humanitarian mission to him. He was proud to be taking the freedoms of America overseas," said Col. Michael Shamp, his commander during his last stint of service before he left the Marines. "He was a positive, smiling man. Everyone liked him, American and Iraqi alike. He was taken from us by people and events he couldn't anticipate. It's hard to say goodbye."

Shamp said the Marines will "ensure the future education of Col. Zangas' children, and make sure his family is well cared-for in the future."

Inside the packed church, relatives and friends sang "How Great Thou Art," the Naval Hymn and, finally, "Amazing Grace." The Rev. Dennis Macaleer preached a brief message on the impossibility of separation from God's love, even in times of turmoil, death and fear.

Shamp and about 25 other Marines from Zangas' unit, based near Washington, D.C., took part. Local Army recruiters also turned out to pay respects.

After a gun salute and the traditional playing of taps, the American flag was removed from the coffin, folded and handed to Zangas' widow, Brenda. The colonel's posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal was given to his daughter.

"You see this, and maybe you understand our soldiers really do believe in what they're doing. Even when it costs," said Army Maj. Greg Yesko, public affairs officer for the 99th Regional Readiness Command in Coraopolis. "Even when it ends like this."