A private viewing will be held Wednesday night for one of two Kissimmee police officers slain last week before a public funeral for both Thursday.

Flags were at half staff at many places in Kissimmee on Wednesday, including at Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home, where a visitation will be held tonight for Sgt. Sam Howard.

The viewing will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. It's open to family, close friends and law enforcement, according to the Kissimmee Police Department.

Since Saturday, the day after Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter were shot, John Robson and Ronald Kolin have been standing watch over the makeshift memorial on the corner of Palmway and Cypress streets, where the officers were attacked.

The two retired Kissimmee men have been at the intersection from about 9 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. each day.

“There was something I needed to do, and I waited for God to tell me what to do," Robson said. "I just got up and walked down here, and I’ve been here ever since.”

Everett Glenn Miller, the man charged in the shooting deaths of the officers, remains in the Osceola County Jail.

“I honor both officers, but I knew Officer Howard really well. He’s a really good friend of mine,” Robson said.

“We’re still honoring them. ... We give our prayers to their families,” Kolin said.

Matthew Baker, a friend of Howard's, had nothing but good things to say about his classmate.

“(He’s) a perfect example of a human being,” Baker said. “He gives back to his community at a drop of a hat. He has a contagious smile that not only lit up the room but sets the example for the day. Great attitude.”

As for Kolin and Robson, they haven’t made a decision on when they’ll stop watching over this memorial. They say that’s up to God.

“We get people from all over," Robson said. "We’ve had officers from Puerto Rico, Chicago, Philadelphia, but they just want to come and pay their respects. That’s what all this is about.”

The public funeral for both Howard and Baxter will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Orlando.

Friend of suspect says veteran had PTSD

Regeus Brinson, a friend of Miller's, said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving more than two decades in the Marine Corps, including at least two deployments to war zones.

Less than two weeks ago, Brinson recalls Miller asking for help.

“He made the comment, 'Hey, look, I’m not feeling too swift with the way my mind is operating right now,’ because his thoughts were all over the page,” Brinson said.

Miller sought treatment, even spending a few days in a mental health center a month ago before being discharged, according to Brinson.

“He was literally kicking and screaming for help, but a lot of people didn’t recognize it,” Brinson said. “I recognized it, but I didn’t recognize it to the point that it was that serious, but apparently it was more serious than we all could imagine.”