SAN DIEGO -- Friends, family members and colleagues gathered at the Rock Church Tuesday morning to mourn the loss of a San Diego police officer.

SDPD Officer David Hall, a 14-year-veteran of the force, took his own life last week before he had the chance to answer to charges of DUI and hit-and-run.

At Tuesday's memorial service, hundreds of Hall's co-workers and loved ones wanted to focus on his contributions, not his mistakes.

"Dave was very well liked ... always somebody that had a smile on his face, had a great attitude. We really enjoyed working with Dave very much," said his traffic division supervisor, Lt. Tim Saelens.

Hall, once honored for having the most DUI arrests in the department, faced serious legal troubles. He was accused of driving drunk, injuring a woman driving a sport utility vehicle and leaving the accident scene. The department’s wellness unit had just met with Hall the day before he committed suicide at his Clairemont home.

"He was dealing with problems, but he dealt with it very quietly," Saelens said. "He was not open about what was happening and the side that we saw was always a very upbeat side."

Hall's colleagues acknowledged his legal battle, but said that should not define who he was. He leaves behind a wife and three children, in this tragic and sudden death that left many of his loved ones asking why.

Through her attorney, the woman who said she was injured in the crash with Hall sent her condolences to the family.

Hall will be buried at Fort Rosecrans.