Joseph Rooney, an Abington resident and candidate for the local school board, will host a candlelight vigil at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
The event is planned to honor both political commentator Charlie Kirk and three police officers from York County: Detective Mark Baker, Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, who were recently killed in separate incidents.
The vigil will take place at the flagpole outside the Abington Township administration building, located at 1176 Old York Road, and is expected to last approximately one hour. The gathering will include multiple speakers who will lead attendees in prayer, reflection, and moments of remembrance.
The event aims to provide community members with an opportunity to come together in recognition of both public service and civic engagement.
Earlier this week, Rooney formally requested approval for the event from township manager Chris Christman and Abington Chief of Police Patrick Molloy. Both officials granted permission for the gathering. According to Rooney, the vigil will follow the same protocols and standards that have been applied to previous township-sanctioned events, including political flag-raising ceremonies held in 2020 and 2022.
Rooney’s planned vigil highlights a growing trend in communities across the country where citizens organize public ceremonies to honor both local and national figures, as well as first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
