CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Major security preparations are underway ahead of Rev. Billy Graham's funeral.
Right now, police are planning for everything from heavy traffic and large crowds to protecting the dignitaries attending.
Leaders from around the country, potentially even the world, could be at the funeral.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol tells NBC Charlotte they’ve been practicing funeral routes for weeks after they were given notice that this day could be coming.
“(We were) given a little heads up, we’ve been planning for this for a few weeks now, and we’ve kind of tried to get ahead of the game,” said trooper Ray Pierce with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
In addition, state troopers will likely be pulled from other counties. That includes the possibility of those who are specially trained for executive protection. They were also involved in providing security during the Democratic National Convention.
“Whether it be a governor, head of state, things of that nature, you’re assigned to that person -- basically you’re their security detail, that’s your primary function to keep them safe,” trooper Pierce said.
Police say there are more than 200 of those specially trained troopers around the state. However, it’s not clear at this point what kind of resources will be needed.
“We’ll definitely be pulling people in. If nothing else, for the sheer volume coming into this area,” trooper Pierce said. “You can’t ever prepare for something like this, but you always want to be prepared.”
State troopers say they’ll be meeting with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in the next day or two and they should have more information about the security plans at that point.