"We turn to the Mother of Jesus, Mary Help of Christians. The sinless Mother of God knew grief when she stood at the foot of the cross as Jesus died. As Laura prayed - in this church, in her home, with her religion class students, with her sons, we too pray invoking her who is our help: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."
A memorial service for Schwartzenberger was also held at Miami Gardens Feb. 6. During the service, Director of the FBI Christopher Wray said, while he did not have the pleasure of personally knowing Laura, the stories of this agent tell a life of "determination, dedication, and courage."
He said Schwartzenberger joined the FBI in 2005 and, after graduating from Quantico, took her first field office in Albuquerque. In 2007, he said, she became Albuquerque's first female FBI SWAT team member. Three years later, she transferred to Miami and joined the Violent Crimes Against Children Squad.
He said Schwartzenberger zealously advocated for greater protections for children from online predators and offered presentations on on sexual extortion. He said that in one of her biggest cases, she helped lock up a criminal who tricked hundreds of adolescent boys into sharing their intimate images.
"Laura had such a profound impact on the parents of some of the victims that when they found out that Laura had been killed in the line of duty, they immediately sent their condolences to the Bureau. And they asked how they could help Laura's two boys. That speaks volumes about what Laura meant to this community," he said.
"I understand that Laura was a woman of faith - a devout Catholic who attended Mary Help of Christians church. It was an important part of her life and part of who she was in everything she did," he further added.
"No matter how hard Laura's days were, no matter how difficult protecting children from evil became, Laura kept that faith. Just as she kept her faith in the rule of law, in justice, and in doing what was right. A call to service isn't designed for comfort and convenience. True service is a test. It's an act of faith. And Laura had faith. She had faith in people. She had faith in the work she was called to do. She nurtured that faith. She shared it. And she lived it, every day."