SOLEMN CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Custer Community Mourns

by Fred Hernandez
Wednesday, November 29th, the Custer community gathered at the West gym of the school to remember and mourn the demise of three of its members. There were one hundred and seventy five relatives, friends and neighbors who came together to pray and console one another. Ms. Judy Greer, Chaplain at the Sheriff’s Office initiated the proceedings by offering a healing prayer. Ms. Jackie Shepherd-Pettis who was a friend of all four victims, including the lone survivor Patty Daulton, then named each of them and asked for a moment of reverent silence. Let us pray for Bob Geer, his wife Beth Wade Geer and James Daulton.
Ms. Christal Rothrock of Sol Vista Health then spoke about the tragedy and gave information regarding the effects of traumatic experiences and the ways to cope in its aftermath. The Pastor of Valley Bible Fellowship, Rev. Richard Desmond gave the closing prayer for the victims who were all faithful members of the congregation. Sheriff Rich Smith and Detective Elizabeth Robinson privately spoke to members of the family to update them of any new developments. In the mean time, the attendees filed out onto Main Street where they lined up on one side as candles were lit from each end of the line and the light