Hundreds gather for law enforcement vigil in Jefferson City

Hundreds of people packed the pews at Concord Baptist Church on Sunday night to honor those who work in law enforcement, as well as to pray for an end to violence across the nation.

“When we lose five officers and 12 others, I think, wounded in Dallas, it’s just an attack on every law-abiding American citizen,” said Monte Shinkle, the congregation’s senior pastor.

The pastor said he received a call from a retired highway patrol trooper who wanted to do something to for law enforcement.

“He contacted a lot of our police personnel, and not just police but everyone that’s involved in peacekeeping,” Shinkle said.

Shinkle said he called the pastors he knew, and the retired trooper made sure the event was put together.

For about an hour, the congregation heard prayers from speakers who were in law enforcement as well as pastors.

“We need to pray for our law enforcement people that they make good decisions and that they are protected,” Shinkle said.

Officers from Columbia and Jefferson City police attended, as well as Highway Patrol troopers and Cole County sheriff’s deputies.

There were also members of the Department of Corrections and park rangers there as well.

The congregation prayed and called for an end to the violence and racial tensions in the country.

Shinkle said he hoped that all those present from law enforcement Sunday would know how important they are in mid-Missouri.

“These guys and gals that left here tonight, that serve the people of mid-Missouri, they left here knowing that the people of mid-Missouri appreciate them,” he said. “They’ll have a different step in their walk tomorrow.”