LOVELAND, Colo. -- Thousands of people lined the streets of Loveland Monday to honor a fallen hero and to pay their respects to his family.

Sgt. Isaac Palomarez, 26, was laid to rest following a funeral mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

The young solider was killed earlier this month when an improvised explosive device detonated in Afghanistan.

Police said the supporters who lined the procession route may have been instrumental in deterring a group of protesters.

"There were about a half-dozen protesters along the route," said Benjamin Hurr of the Loveland Police Department. "They must have seen the overwhelming support because they picked up their signs and left."

Among the supporters was a group of motorcycle enthusiasts called Patriot Guard Riders. They rode at the end of the procession and told 7NEWS that their mission was two-fold: To honor the fallen soldier, and to help protect them from troublemakers.

"If something should happen, all we do is form a flag line and shield the family from anything they don't need to see," said Rider Captain Rick Shoaf.

The Patriot Guard Riders said they come from all walks of life.

"We have everyone from unemployed people to doctors and lawyers. We wear leather and we like to ride motorcycles," Shoaf said. "That's what we do."

Shoaf added that the riders are veterans themselves.

"I was in the Navy for 30 years," he said. "That's why we're here. We're all brothers. We all have a common bond."

Among the thousands of people lining the procession route was Steve Gallemore and his 10-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.

"It's important that she sees what others are willing to do for her and for the rest of us for our freedoms," Gallemore said.

Palomarez was buried at Resthaven Memory Gardens.

His mother told 7NEWS last week that her son's death is a reminder to everyone to pray for the soldiers who are still fighting and for the mothers who are waiting for their sons and daughters to come home.