AURORA, Colo. -- The suspect in the fatal shooting of an Aurora police detective appeared in court Monday to be formally charged with eight counts.

Brian Washington, 27, was charged first-degree murder of a police officer, first-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree, criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, menacing, being a felon in possession of a weapon, and crime of violence -- which is a sentence-enhancing charge.

Washington allegedly assaulted a police officer at the scene after the shooting and that spurred the two assault charges. The menacing charge stemmed from a confrontation with a citizen who had tried to help, 7NEWS reported.

Even before the court proceedings began, Washington cried as he spoke to his attorneys. It wasn't exactly clear what he had said. Standing before the court in a blue jail jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles, he listened as the judge advised him of the charges against him.

Aurora police spent hours Monday meeting with the district attorney's office to talk about the possibility of pursuing the death penalty in the case but District Attorney Don Quick said it was too early to make a decision.

Aurora's police chief, who was in the courtroom for the hearing, called the shooting a brutal and senseless act.

"I've been struck by this notion of there are stages of grief and I've expressed to you in the past, how much we were all hurt. But I want you to know we're angry, we're damn angry about what has happened," said Chief Dan Oates. "The Aurora Police Department stands ready to assist the district attorney's office in any way in this case and we will do anything we can to honor Mike Thomas by building the best possible case."

The suspect's alleged attack on Detective Mike Thomas was apparently random. Police have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting and the judge ruled that all documents -- including the arrest affidavit and search warrant -- remain sealed to allow detectives time to finish their investigation.

Washington waived a preliminary hearing on the advice of his attorney, and isn't expected in court until Dec. 7. He is being held without bond.

A hearing has been scheduled for next Monday to discuss unsealing certain documents that could reveal more details in the shooting.

Funeral To Be Held Tuesday

The public is invited to honor Thomas during a funeral procession that will take place Tuesday afternoon. The community is asked to stand along the motorcade route as his casket is moved from the church to the cemetery.

The funeral service at Heritage Christian Center, located at 9495 E. Florida Avenue, is expected to start at 11 a.m.

After the funeral, a police procession will leave the church, going from Florida to Havana, Havana to Hampden, Hampden to Sheridan and Sheridan to Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Thomas, a 24-year police veteran, had served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. More than 1,000 uniformed officers, including those from Canada, are expected to be involved in the service.

Englewood police will be shutting down westbound Highway 285 (Hampden Ave) between South Gilpin Street and South Santa Fe Drive during the funeral procession, which is expected to be going through the area between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Only westbound traffic on Highway 285, as well as all northbound and southbound streets that intersect with Highway 285, will be impacted, Englewood police said.

Suggested alternate northbound and southbound routes through Englewood will be South Broadway or South Santa Fe Drive. Suggested alternate westbound routes will be Belleview Avenue or Dartmouth Avenue. The roadway will reopen as soon as the procession passes.