INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) – Not less than 300 folks stood outdoors the Independence Police Division Thursday evening. Many didn’t even know Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans, who was killed Wednesday, shot by a person he and his subject coaching officer have been attempting to contact a couple of warrant.
They bowed their heads in prayer and held one another tight. There have been few phrases, simply faces abounding, illuminated by candles.
It was civilians who organized the vigil, however there have been first responders within the crowd from greater than a dozen state, county and metropolis companies on each side of the state line: police, fireplace and EMS.
It was significantly painful for the employees at AMR, the place Madrid-Evans labored as an EMT earlier than changing into a police officer.
Folks laid candles beside the flowers that now sit beneath the Independence Fallen Officers Memorial. A bunch of teenaged ladies had tears streaming down their faces.
“My dad was a responding officer on that decision,” one in every of them, 17-year-old Lindsey Barker, stated.
She got here with associates and her grandma, Connie Barker. Because the mom of an Independence police officer, when she heard about an officer shot and critically wounded, her coronary heart raced and her abdomen lurched.
“I obtained on the cellphone instantly and he answered instantly. Thank God. I don’t know what I might have accomplished if he hadn’t,” stated Connie Barker.
That’s the figuring out that comes from the household of each officer — even when they don’t know the ache of a household that’s misplaced somebody within the line of obligation.
“My mom was 11 when he was killed within the line of obligation in Independence. So this implies lots to our household,” stated Greg McGhee.
McGhee is the actions director at William Chrisman Excessive Faculty. He was hesitant to share his connection after we approached him at random, as a result of he didn’t need to take away who the evening was actually about.
His grandpa’s title, Lt. David Kraxner, is on the memorial wall — killed Oct thirty first, 1966. His is only one of 5 names there, quickly to be six.
“My coronary heart simply breaks for the household,” stated Lindsey Barker. “I’m simply grateful that my dad got here out of it protected. And I do know he was fairly shaken up about it. He’s not right here tonight, however I simply wished to come back out right here and present assist for my household and the police division.”
“It’s simply been a horrible few days right here,” stated McGhee, “and I pray for all of the officers who’re out right here on the streets.”
Officer Madrid-Evans was simply 22 years outdated. He graduated from the police academy in July of this 12 months and was nonetheless within the subject coaching program. His household was on the vigil, standing silently among the many crowd, and little question felt the love.
The Independence Police Basis is trying to lift $10,000 for them to help with their bills. You will discover the donation web page here.
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