Crowd gathers Wednesday to pray for police in Warner Robins

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — “Thank you for our police: the men and women that serve and protect this great community that we live in. We are so blessed in this part of Georgia to be surrounded by some of the best men and women, who love this place, who love this community and are willing to do anything to serve and protect us.”

That was the opening prayer as the Warner Robins Police Department, local leaders and the community gathered at the police department’s front steps on Wednesday morning to pray for their city’s law enforcement.

Following a brief introduction from Police Chief Roy Whitehead, Pastor Matt Walls of Southside Baptist Church took the microphone and spoke a quick sermon before he and his fellow pastors prayed over law enforcement.

Walls began, explaining the personal impact of meeting the police as a child in school and his mission to spread positivity that he carries on to the present day.

“One thing has stayed with me, these 40 years later. This police officer said, ‘We love it when kids in our community wave at us when they see us in the community,’” Walls said. “And I thought, ‘I’m going to start doing that. Every time I see a police officer, I’m going to wave at that police officer and see what happens.’”

Decades later, he met local officers under less positive circumstances, but as he explained, garnered in him a newfound appreciation for law enforcement. In 2013, Walls was returning to town, and had just settled back home, when he heard a knock at the door. An officer stood at the door, asking if Walls’ children were home. The officer then urged Walls and his family to retreat to safety.

“There is an active shooter in the neighborhood,” the officer explained to him.

“I would like to say that I calmly gathered everyone together,” Walls continued,” “I’m sure I didn’t … we quickly ushered everybody in and for the next hour we laid on the ground face down in the first and foremost bedroom. We had no idea what was going on.”

Once officers gave Walls an all clear, he reflected on the situation and ministered to his neighborhood, including an officer who had been shot at and was trying to process the incident.

“I can’t imagine what that must have felt like. I just remember being so grateful for the men and women and all you do to protect our city and putting your lives on the line. While I appreciated law enforcement before and waved — and even bought lunch and dinner occasionally for different police officers in our community — on that day a whole new level of appreciation and admiration happened,” Walls said.

He then thanked law enforcement for braving situations such as the one they braved that day, and helping to protect families like his. He also extended gratitude to their spouses and families who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty.

Finally, Walls closed by explaining the scrutiny involved with being a member of law enforcement, calling on the community to be respectful and make a routine to lift law enforcement up in prayer.

“When I showed that respect, I was greeted with so much respect, and kindness, and in my case, even mercy,” Walls said.

After his message, Walls prayed for police protection while Southside Kathleen Pastor Jeremy Emory, Kathleen’s Assistant Pastor Drew Cook and Southside Pleasant Hill Pastor Josh Ray prayed over wisdom and discernment, mental and emotional health, respect and appreciation from the community — inviting the community to pray alongside.

Reflecting after the prayers, Walls was honored to take the time to lift up law enforcement, some who attend Southside Baptist and also attended the event. One of their own approached Walls about speaking.

“We’re so grateful for these men and women and what they do to keep the peace in our city,” Walls said, adding later, “It was such an honor to share some stories on how the police have ministered to me, and encouraged me, challenged me and protected me.”

Chief Whitehead was also honored to represent law enforcement and hopes events like these will help show appreciation and a willingness to help their community.

“It’s a great honor to be able to represent the men and women who have given their lives in service of their country and their fellow man and to have the community come together to recognize that sacrifice is humbling,” Whitehead said.

Walls agreed.

“It feels like over the years [appreciation] has waned and I want the next generation to see that these are our friends, not enemies,” Walls said. “They’re the good guys, not the bad guys and they are here to protect and serve, not to do harm and cause trouble for us.”

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