Community holds vigil for fallen Kentucky deputy

RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (WKYT) - It has been an extremely emotional 24 hours for the Russell County Community.

Monday night, families at the ballpark laid on top of each other in the dugouts when they thought an active shooter was nearby. On Tuesday night, those same families gathered at the park again.

This time, they embraced each other as they prayed for Deputy Josh Phipp’s family, his fellow first responders, and each other as they only began to grieve.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. Josh Phipps laid down his life for the sheep of Russell County,” Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston.

Standing in front of the large crowd, Sheriff Derek Polston says it’s clear that Deputy Phipps will always be remembered for his bravery.

“I wanted them to come back and know they’re safe, to know they’re prayed for, loved and taken care of. And I wanted us to all join together as a community to know we’re all here for each other,” said vigil organizer Jessie Hopper.

Jessie Hopper’s children were playing in a game on this field Monday night. While the shots rang out a few minutes away on Bluebird Drive, in the confusion, families at the park believed the active shooter was there.

“It was terrifying,” Hopper said. “This is a small town. We leave our doors open. Kids run free in the park. We all know each other. It was scary to learn that something like that could be happening here. But, thankfully, something we learned is we all take care of each other’s kids.”

And now these neighbors will all have to take care of each other as they mourn the loss of Deputy Phipps. And a community prayer vigil was the best place to start.

“We’re showing these kids that we’re back at this same place we were yesterday. We’re safe. We’re here. Our community’s behind us,” said Russell County Youth League Baseball Coordinator Matthew Luttel.

Perhaps the moment this community needed most happened at the end of the service, as every first responder was thanked and embraced by the very people they protect and serve

Another vigil is planned for Wednesday night. This one will take place in front of the courthouse downtown at 7 p.m. central time