Faith-based groups gather for prayer for law enforcement

As shock and concern grow over recent fatal shootings of police officers throughout the country, members of local faith-based groups gathered at Modesto police headquarters Wednesday to pray for the safety of law enforcement officials on duty.

“We’re with them. We’re behind them. We want to be part of the team,” said the Rev. Randy Rochelle, of Greater Glory Community Church and a member of the Modesto Police Clergy Council.

About 60 people gathered in front of the Modesto Police Department’s Fallen Officer Memorial. Joining the faith-based groups at the event were Modesto police Chief Galen Carroll, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson, Chief Probation Officer Jill Silva, District Attorney Birgit Fladager and Modesto Mayor Ted Brandvold.

A similar event was held outside the police headquarters last year in April. On Wednesday, the participants walked around the department and payed for the safety of officers.

The prayer event was the latest in a series of local community efforts to reach out to law enforcement agencies in a show of support.

▪ On July 12, Ceres police Chief Brent Smith announced his department had received an outpouring of food, letters and other acts of kindness from Ceres residents. In a news release, Smith thanked those who support his community, specifically law enforcement officers. He said some residents on Darrah Street hosted a barbecue, inviting patrol officers.

▪ On July 15, the Turlock Police Department hosted a little girl named Zoey on her birthday. She had asked her mother to take her down to the department headquarters, because the only thing she wanted for her birthday was a police sticker badge and for a police officer to sing her happy birthday. Several officers, along with police Chief Rob Jackson, fulfilled her birthday wish.

▪ On Tuesday, the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock hosted a breakfast at the Turlock Police Department for its employees. The civic club wanted to show its appreciation and support for law enforcement. This followed several gestures the department received, including cookies and doughnuts left for officers, according to a recent post on its Facebook page: “We cannot thank everyone enough for all of the amazing support that we have been receiving lately. Many people who have wished to remain anonymous, have also dropped off items and we want to thank them all as well.”

▪ On July 30, a community group is hosting a free dinner for all sheriff’s officials, police officials, dispatchers, California Highway Patrol, ambulance services and firefighters in Tuolumne County. The dinner at the Motherlode Fairgrounds in Sonora is an opportunity to “shake hands, say thank you, give hugs and say some prayers for safety,” according to the group’s Facebook page for the event.

“In the wake of the recent attacks on law enforcement,” the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department posted on its Facebook page, “we are so appreciative and touched by the kind gesture made by some wonderful community members!”

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Faith-based groups gather for prayer for law enforcement."