Residents show support for CPD after Dallas shooting

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Twelve blue carnations, one for each officer injured or killed in Dallas on Thursday, were delivered Friday to the Circleville Police Department. (Submitted photos)

Someone anonymously planted flowers at the memorial stone beside the Circleville Police Station on Friday.

CIRCLEVILLE – Following the deaths of five police officers during a protest in Dallas on Thursday, local residents came out Friday in support of the Circleville Police Department.

According to Chief Shawn Baer, the department received a bouquet of 12 blue flowers, one for each officer injured or killed in Dallas, from the Gardner family in Circleville. The bouquet was delivered with the following note:

To All Circleville Police Officers:

Today as you grieve for your fellow deceased and injured officers in Dallas, Texas, we want to express our deepest sympathy and to let you know that your service to our community is greatly appreciated. We strongly support you and your families for the daily sacrifice you give.

We have sent 12 blue carnations representing each fellow officer in Dallas, Texas. This is so that today we can all grieve and pray for them and their families.

We hope that at the end of today, each carnation is taken home by an officer to his or her family to show them that you and your families are appreciated and thought of!

With deep gratitude – God bless you all!

The Gardner Family and the Circleville Community

Baer said someone also anonymously planted flowers at the memorial stone beside the police department on Franklin Street, and the local CashMax business sent pizzas to the officers on Friday to thank them for their service.

“Today the officers of the Circleville Police Department were truly touched by the compassion of our citizens,” Baer said. “We received dozens of phone calls and emails letting us know we are appreciated and that the community was concerned for our safety.”

Baer said the city administration also showed great support for the department on Friday, expressing concern for their safety and encouraging the officers.

“The profession of law enforcement can be overwhelming and stressful at times, but these gestures remind us how much we are supported,” Baer said. “We have a great community, and the support truly means the world to us. We have so many people to thank for showing such concern that we just wanted to say to everyone, thanks for your support and compassion. It’s an honor to serve you.”