Smyth County participates in healing during the deputies’ prayer vigil Friday

Smyth County, Virginia – At a prayer vigil held on Sunday night, hundreds of people from all around Smyth County turned out to pay their respects to deputies Hunter Reedy and Michael Fedorchuk.
Fedorchuk was shot during a traffic stop on Friday, and Reedy passed away while being transported to a hospital.

One of the speakers remarked, “It’s amazing how simultaneously a heart can be broken and as I look out at this crowd, a heart can be full.”

Two hometown heroes were injured as a result of an angry driver’s decision, and the community is in mourning.

He went on, “Our community has experienced a devastating loss that was senseless and affects us all.

After an incident as tragic as this one, healing is a shared experience. They prayed together as a show of support for Hunter Reedy’s family.

We are aware that this family has experienced the most severe losses. Parents have lost a son, siblings have lost a brother, a wife has lost her spouse, and children have lost their father. “A brother in arms has been lost by an entire department,” David Medley said, leading the family in prayer.

They offered prayers in support of Michael Fedorchuk, the Marion Police officers present that evening, and all other participants.

“Lord, I pray for our community and beg that you grant us a harvest of souls returning to you with a sense of unity in the wake of this great sorrow. Pastor Cody Sturgill led the prayer, saying, “But we pray that you’d bless and you grace officer Fedorchuk and his family. We pray for grace and peace for the many first responders that dealt with this great trauma. We pray for healing in their hearts and lives.”

Furthermore, they prayed for law enforcement worldwide.

“They are out doing what they do because it’s who they are, and we’re sleeping in the bed.” Pastor Mike Sage led the prayer, saying, “Lord, we pray for Chief Claire, we pray for Sheriff Chip, we pray for every single solitary law enforcement personnel throughout our county.”

Marion Police Chief John Claire stated after the service that this kind of community solidarity is exactly what everyone needs during this tragic time.

“In the end, police officers and sheriff’s deputies respond to community crises, assist individuals, assist them in making plans, and provide them with problem-solving solutions. We need the community to take care of that for us right now,” he stated. “The law enforcement here is currently in a crisis, and we need assistance with planning, support, and just knowing that they are there—which is exactly what we witnessed tonight.”