Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
VIOLENCE’S HEAVY TOLL
Community gathers at Downingtown vigil to remember those lost
DOWNINGTOWN >> The Crime Victims Center of Chester County held its annual Candlelight Vigil Thursday to remember loved ones who were lost to violent crime, as well as law enforcement officers who “become victims ourselves” in the line of duty.
Chester County District Attorney Thomas P. Hogan said that the vigil is held to remember the victims and those hurt by violence. He said that when he visited his dying grandmother, she told him to “remember all of me.” He recalled what she had done for him over the years, and she also wanted him to remember her personality and life choices, not just the good times. He encouraged the attendees to do the same with their lost loved one.
“They weren’t just saints. They were human beings. Remember all of them,” Hogan said. “Some of them had a temper, sometimes they would make you laugh so hard you would cry.”
Pennsylvania State Police Troop J Lt. Michelle Swantner said that she has seen families who suffered a “loss that is sometimes unbearable.” She said that law enforcement officers work hard for justice.
”We all work hard to do right
for the victim and right for the victim’s family,” Swantner said. “We do not forget.”
She said that law enforcement officers and first responders are “not immune from becoming victims.” She said they are just like everyone else.
“We prepare ourselves for work, to go out and protect and serve in our communities. Our goal is to return home at the end of the day, and at the end of our shift, to return home with our loved ones,” Swantner said. “However, in the course of our work, we become victims ourselves, whether it is in the protection of others, or the trend of random violent assaults on the rise in our nation.”
She talked about Cpl. Bryon Dickson II, who was killed, and Trooper Alex Douglass. who was injured, during an ambush at the Blooming Grove barracks in September 2014. The alleged shooter, Eric Frein, is on trial in Chester County. She noted that 144 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2016.
“We are no different than any other victim,” Swantner said, including family members left behind mourning.
She said that over the years, Pennsylvania State Police has lost 97 troopers.
“What is tragic about the loss of a first responder is that we know that we risk our life every day to help others who are often strangers to us,” Swantner said. “When a law enforcement officer dies, the community losses a protector, a mentor, a coach, and that loss is sometimes unbearable.”
She shared a note of hope.
“I truly believe that when a loved one dies, one does not forget,” Swantner said, “and learns to cope and move forward.”
Nancy Puche said before her father David Kenny, 64, a retired teacher and minister, was murdered by a 17-year-old in 1996, she was unaware of the county homicide vigil. She said that many who attended on Thursday were also unaware until they received an invitation to a club that no one wants to belong to.
“Everyone is here because of someone else’s selfish actions,” Puche said. “There are people at home tonight who are unaware that they will get an invitation next March.”
The West Goshen Township Police Department Honor Guard participated in the ceremony held at Central Presbyterian Church in Downingtown.
The candlelight walk to the Victims Memorial in Kardon Park was cancelled due to the inclement weather and flooding. However, attendees were able to walk to the memorial if they wished.