A small crowd of people, including law enforcement officers and their family members, gathered in front of the Columbus Municipal Complex for a prayer vigil Friday morning.
Assistant Police Chief Fred Shelton began the vigil by stressing the importance of prayer and the dangerous jobs police have protecting the public.
“Each time an officer puts on his badge, we don’t know whether we’re coming back home,” he said. “But by the grace of God, we make it back home.”
Two Columbus police officers are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the funerals of three officers killed last week, Shelton said. Other CPD officers are wearing mourning badges.
Several religious leaders in the community led prayers, including Rev. Sandra DePriest of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, pastor of Grace Baptist Church Charles Whitney, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church Breck Ladd and pastor of United Christian Baptist Church Steven James.
“I think the ceremony was awesome,” James said after the vigil. “I think the ceremony was much needed. I think the only one who is going to fix the dilemma in this country is God.”
People cannot blame all police officers for the actions of a few bad ones, James said, adding there are good police officers and the community needs them.
“Instead of preaching hatred and division, we’ve got to preach love and unity,” he said.
Columbus resident Heather McGee stumbled upon the prayer vigil while going to do business at the Municipal Complex. Instead of entering the building, she stood outside for the vigil with the rest of the crowd.
“I was pretty moved for sure,” she said. “I feel proud right now to be from Columbus, Mississippi and see people coming together when our world right now is so divided.”
The community has been supportive of the department since the recent shootings of police officers in Dallas — where five police officers were shot dead earlier this month — and Baton Rouge, Shelton said after the vigil. People have brought food and sent gifts to CPD and approached officers in public, promising support and asking them to be safe.
Shelton hopes to hold more vigils at least once a month for more people to show support and to build relations between CPD and the community.
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