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Prayer walk focuses on officers of the law

PARKERSBURG — People took time to come out Sunday and pray for local law enforcement officers during the Wood County Law Enforcement Officer Prayer Walk.

The second annual event, organized by Greg Hoover of Parkersburg, was originally scheduled in mid-July but had to be postponed.

Around 143 people, both area residents and officers, attended gatherings held Sunday at Tomlinson Park in Williamstown near the Williamstown Police Department, the Vienna Police Department, at the Wood County Justice Center near the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the Parkersburg Police Department and at the West Virginia State Police Detachment along West Virginia 47.

Each location had a short prayer service and allowed residents to meet with officers to thank them and offer their support for what they do.

Around 45 people attended the gathering at the Justice Center, including over a dozen officers from the Wood County Sheriff’s Department and the Parkersburg Police Department.

“First and foremost, we want to talk about the safety of the law enforcement officers and the sacrifices they make for us every day,” Hoover said.

Officers were involved Sunday in a high-speed chase from Wood County into Marietta, dealing with a stolen vehicle which was discussed at the different stops, he said.

“I wish everyone would continue to pray for local law enforcement, state and federal,” Hoover said. “That is what this is about.”

Hoover got the idea to do gatherings like this last year after officers in Dallas were shot and killed by a sniper. The idea gained more momentum as more police officers were shot and killed across the country in the days that followed. Today, officers are continually in harm’s way with another six who were shot Friday in Pennsylvania and Florida. As of Sunday, two of those officers have died.

Shelley Capel, of Parkersburg, came out to the service Sunday at the Justice Center to show her support for local officers.

“There are a lot of things being protested and a lot of hate and anger in the world,” she said. “This is an event where we can show love and support and protection.

“I do believe prayer does protect and that is why I came to help.”

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