KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Independence community gathered Thursday night around 8 p.m. for a candlelight vigil to honor the life of fallen Independence Police Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans.
Community members, Independence police and surrounding area law enforcement agencies gathered outside of the Independence Police Department with candles, signs and flowers.
A candlelight vigil has begun for fallen officer Blaize Madrid-Evans. Many law enforcement agencies and dozens of others outside of Independece Police Department with candles, signs and flowers. pic.twitter.com/WNSWXx40aE
— Megan Abundis (@meganrabundis) September 17, 2021
Independence police spokesperson Jack Taylor thanked the vigil attendees for coming out to show their “love and concern” for Madrid-Evans.
Following Taylor, Maj. Ed Turner spoke about how his “heart breaks” along with the community because he has a daughter who is the same age Madrid-Evans was.
“To understand the youthfulness that he had before him and his life to live,” Turner said.
Turner closed with a prayer asking to “find peace in this time of chaos.”
After the speakers concluded, many attendees stayed, illuminating the area with their candlelight as they remembered Madrid-Evans together.
