Billy Graham chaplains returned Sunday to the small town of Allen, Kentucky, following the June 30 shootout which took the lives of three police officers and a K-9 police dog. The town's police chief and sheriff requested the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) return to offer God's comfort to officers.
Officers were serving an emergency protection order when the suspect opened fire with a rifle—just before barricading himself inside his home for hours. Those at the scene described the incident as war-like, with a barrage of bullets creating chaos.
Floyd County Sheriff's Deputy William Petry, Prestonsburg Police Department Capt. Ralph Frasure and Preston police dog Drago were killed in the standoff. Preston Officer Jacob Chaffins, who served as the handler for Drago, died from his injuries.
“While we were first there in Allen after the incident happened, God opened up wonderful doors of ministry," explained Richard Brown, senior deployment and operations manager for the BG-RRT (not pictured). "We are thankful for the opportunity to go back, and we pray God will use our chaplains to share His comfort, love and strength to those who need it.”
After the tragedy, the Allen community gathered at Prestonsburg High School stadium for a candlelight vigil in memory of the officers. A few members of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team attended the vigil.
Chaplains give a Bible to the family of a fallen officer.
Writing inside a Bible before it's presented to the wife of Deputy William Petry prior to his funeral viewing.
Gathering around for prayer near a memorial set up for those lost in the shooting.
Two officers honor the fallen at a candlelight vigil. Please pray for God's protection over all those who selflessly serve each day.
Chaplains offer prayer to locals affected by this tragedy as they try to process their grief.
