Joseph Rooney, an Abington resident and school board candidate, is hosting a candlelight vigil at 6:00pm on Wednesday, September 24 to honor political commentator Charlie Kirk and three recently murdered police officers: Detective Mark Baker, Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser of York County.

Rooney said he has several speakers lined up for one hour of prayer, reflection and remembrance at the flagpole outside of the Abington Township administration building.

“I invited clergy and Montgomery County commissioner Tom DiBello, among others. We’re just going to try to get together as a community and pray for our nation,” Rooney told Glenside Local.

Rooney said the evening will include 400 candles, a brief biography for each police officer, as well as short videos from South Korea and New Zealand honoring Kirk. His wife and a friend will sing the national anthem at the vigil’s onset and sing God Bless America at its closing.

“This is a non-partisan event. I find it amazing the outreach that this man has had. Kirk wasn’t a politician, he just talked to people. It’s really tragic. All four have wives and kids,” he said. “It looks like the weather’s going to be okay.”

Earlier this week, he requested approval from township manager Chris Christman and Chief of Police Patrick Molloy, both of whom granted his request.

“I was really happy about that,” he said.

“There have been other political events, so we want to be consistent with how we handled these requests in the past,” Chief Molloy said, noting that the township manager ultimately has the final say.

In an email to the township and the police department, Rooney said the vigil “will conform with the precedent established by township elected officials and staff in 2020, 2022 and every political flag raising event.”

More details in the flyer below:

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