The Jacksonville police officer shot twice while on duty Sunday, Nov. 2, was welcomed home to Jacksonville Friday, Nov. 7.
A post on the City of Jacksonville, Texas Facebook page alerted residents that the officer was coming home and designated an area along both sides of U.S. 69 for people to gather who wanted to welcome the officer home.
A convoy, consisting of dozens of emergency vehicles from Jacksonville and surrounding areas, escorted the officer from a Tyler hospital back to Jacksonville. The officer and convoy were welcomed by council members, employees of nearby businesses, members of the Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy and other residents.
David and Dorothy Purifoy were among the first to arrive in the designated area. Both are Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy alums and wanted to show their support. Each had brought a United States flag to wave.
Jacksonville residents Jessica and Eric Sisson, along with their son Jacob, also arrived to welcome the officer home.
Eric Sisson said the local officers do a phenomenal job and they had come to show support. Jessica said they wanted to show support any way they could, not just for police officers, but to firefighters and EMS as well.
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Residents gather along U.S. 69 to welcome home a Jacksonville police officer who was wounded by gunfire while on duty.
Barbara Dockweiler, of Bannister Plumbing, said the majority of the staff were outside waiting for the convoy to pass. She said she thought it was appropriate to be there because law enforcement officers keep the community safe. She said getting shot must have been traumatizing to the police officer and it ‘feels good to see her coming home.’
“We love our law enforcement,” Dockweiler said. “What better way to show support than coming out here?”
Mayor Randy Gorham expressed a similar sentiment, saying, “It was the least I could do.”