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Cumberland church hosts vigil to support police officers

CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) — Support for local police continues to be evident, even several days after the ambush on Dallas officers.

A church in Cumberland held a “blue light” vigil Tuesday night for their local department.

About 50 people showed up to the prayer vigil to show their support for local officers.

Tom Scott is the minister of Cumberland Christian Church and a volunteer chaplain for the city’s police department.

He was horrified to see the news last week of the ambush in Dallas.

“It’s disheartening to see because most of the individuals who are out there on the street, they’re good individuals who have families and want to go home at the end of the shift,” Scott said. “They’re just trying to do their job and it’s unfortunate that these things happen.”

Scott was honored to host a prayer vigil Tuesday night with community members, police officers, and representatives from other Indianapolis-area churches.

“It’s important that they have some encouragement, that they have people who pat them on the back and give them the support and the love they need,” he said.

The Cumberland Police Chief spoke about other officers who’ve been killed on duty in recent months.

He addressed church members like John Pickett.

The Dallas ambush touched him deeply.

“Police departments across the country have had a really tough time,” Pickett said, “It’s almost as if they’ve opened season on the police officers.”

He was inspired to pray because of a kind experience he had with Cumberland officers.

“We even had a couple local police officers who, when they found out my wife and I were veterans, bought us breakfast one morning,” Pickett said.

He hopes each blue pin and each kind word can start healing some wounds in this country.

“It’s a small thing, I know, but it has to start somewhere,” Pickett said.

The pastor said he hopes to plan more events like this in the future.

He wants to show police they’re supported year-round, not just after a tragedy.