Prayer vigil held to honor fallen officers in York County
YORK, S.C. (Queen City News) – Members of the law enforcement community gathered Sunday evening in York for a prayer vigil in honor of those who have died in the line of duty.
The event focused heavily on the four men who died April 29 in Charlotte while serving a warrant, but attendees shared stories and said prayers for all who wear a police badge.
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Chief Deputy Kevin Cante with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said he and his colleagues appreciate the support from their neighbors in the law enforcement community.
“We have to rely on each other. Partnerships are incredibly important,” Cante said. “Relationships are important because we can’t do this job alone. No law enforcement agency can do this job alone.”
Faith leaders preached about unity and love for those who lost a friend. The pastor of Great Joy Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. William F. Blue, came with a monetary gift from his congregation.
“It’s not going to send kids to college. It’s not going to go such a long way, but it will say that we love you and we support you and we stand ten toes deep with you, Amen,” Blue said.
York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said part of the motivation to hold the gathering comes from grief within his department.
Detective Mike Doty died in January 2018 when a domestic violence suspect shot at him and three other agents.
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“We were on those courthouse steps six years ago when the community said, ‘we love you, we support you and we’re sorry and we’re just here to help you heal,’” Tolson said.
He said the least he can do now is give that support to other agencies facing the same emotional battle.
“It gets better. It doesn’t ever heal, the scar is still there, but it gets better,” he said.
More than two dozen community members came to support the officers and deputies.
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