RPD spouses host candlelight vigil

Rochester police officers' spouses stood side-by-side Friday honoring officers past and present who dedicated their lives to serving the city.

The Partners Behind the Lines organization held a candlelight vigil at the Public Safety Building, hoping to shine light on national Thank A Police Officer Day on Saturday.

Saturday also would have been slain Rochester police Officer Daryl Pierson's 33rd birthday. Pierson was shot and killed Sept. 3 while on duty. He is survived by his wife Amy, 5-year-old son Christian and 5-month-old daugther Charity.

"We thank Daryl posthumously. He's gone and can't hear what we have to say," said Gina Cuyler, co-president of Partners Behind the Lines. "We can learn from that. We missed our opportunity there, but we have an entire police department that we can say 'thank you' to and show appreciation to every single day."

The organization reactivated a week ago and plans to host educational seminars and community events in the near future.

"It's about the community coming together and saying 'We are one,' " Cuyler said. "The bad people are not going to change who we are and what we do. Evil will not triumph over good."

The organization also plans to begin a support and networking group for law enforcement relatives.

Rochester police Lt. Korey Brown and his wife, Elena, attended the event to honor Pierson, who was one of Korey's recruits early in his career.

"It's unbelievably hard on the (Pierson) family," Korey said. "It's important that this year, next year and the years to come to show them support."

Elena said she shares great compassion for her fellow officer wives.

"We've all seen our husbands go off to work and had that fear," she said. "We're here for Amy (Pierson) too."

DDAVIS11@DemocratandChronicle.com

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