HOULTON, Maine — It has been three years since organizers of Houlton’s community prayer event for first responders gathered to show their support for police, fire and ambulance personnel in light of a disturbing national trend of officers being killed in the line of duty.
An assailant shot and killed Cpl. Eugene Cole of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office in April and across the border in Fredericton, New Brunswick, two police officers were among four people shot and killed in August, showing the need for such support is greater than ever.
Organized by Cynthia Milton and Cyndee Randall, about 40 people gathered Friday outside of the Houlton Police Department to offer prayers and support for local first responders. The group consisted of representatives from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police and Houlton police and fire departments, along with families, students and members from a variety of local churches, who offered their prayers and encouragement for the responders.
It doesn’t seem like such police shootings would happen in a small community like Houlton, but folks do see them happening in small and large communities all over the country, Randall said.
“We felt we needed to do something that shows our community truly cares about all of you (first responders),” she said. “While we cannot go with you and protect you, we know an awesome God who can.”
Randall said she hoped that by hosting an event such as this, first responders would feel a sense of appreciation from the community.
For Milton, organizing the event was much more personal as her husband, Tom, is a retired Maine State Police officer who currently works as a public safety dispatcher in Houlton.
“When we decided to first do this, it was very important to show our support because police officers were being gunned down left and right,” Milton said. “It was awful. What can we do but pray for our own. We can show support.”
“Events such as this strengthen and unify the spirit of community,” Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca said. “It shows all first responders they are appreciated for their daily sacrifices.”
Pastor Joshua Brewer of the Shiretown Baptist Church and Tom Milton offered prayers during the brief service.
To honor fellow police officers, the Houlton Police Department has been flying a black and white U.S. flag with a thin blue line. According to www.usflags.com, the blue represents police officers “and the courage they find deep inside when faced with insurmountable odds. The black background was designed as a constant reminder of our fallen brother and sister officers. The line is what police officers protect, the barrier between anarchy and a civilized society, between order and chaos, between respect for decency and lawlessness. Together they symbolize the camaraderie law enforcement officers all share, a brotherhood like none other.”
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- A group of about 40 individuals gathers outside the Houlton Police Department Friday morning for a community prayer event for first responders. (Joseph Cyr)
