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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) It was an interesting discussion but in the end the Valley City commission approved of continuing the courtesy of using a police escort for funeral processions.

Valley City Commissioner Mary Lee Nielson strongly encouraged the city to continue supporting funeral processions using a police squad car in the future.

But Mayor Bob Werkhoven disagreed citing liability issues and voted against the item in a 4 to 1 vote Monday. Werkhoven said the city doesn’t receive any compensation for the service and believes the practice should be handled without city liability.

Valley City Police Chief Fred Thompson urged discontinuing the practice citing possible liability issues if a serious crash occurred during the procession. 4 city commissioners supported continuing the practice.

City Attorney Russel Myhre said any waiver form signed by family members of the grieving party to waive the city of liability isn’t worth the paper its printed on following a serious crash in the future during a city supported funeral procession.