AIKEN, SC (WFXG) -
A feeling of deja vu fell over Aiken this afternoon as they said farewell to Aiken Public Safety Master Corporal Sandy Rogers.
"Aiken has never really had to experience this kind of thing very often," says Tom Kostura, who attended the memorial.
It wasn't long ago the USC Aiken Convocation Center sign read "Richardson Memorial Service." That day the community packed the arena to say good bye to fallen officer Scotty Richardson, who was shot to death during a traffic stop in December.
On Tuesday, the community returned to the Convocation Center to mourn again, on an occasion the community says has come much too soon.
"37 days ago," says Vicki Pruitt. "To be here for the officer, and now to be here for this one..."
Thirty-seven days ago, Richardson was laid to rest.
This afternoon, in a familiar setting, officers reflected on another taken before her time.
In today's memorial, fellow officers and the community remembered fondly a woman and officer who touched so many lives.
"She was dedicated," said Aiken Public Safety Director Charles Barranco during the service. "She cared, and she made a difference."
The people of Aiken were reminded to do in Sandy's memory what she had done for her community for so long.
"Aiken, we have a duty to embrace the love of this servant," said Rev. George K. Howle. "We have a duty to love and give of ourselves as she did."
But after the second officer death in as many months, people in the community are asking for a stop to the violence that has taken two of their own.
"I hope this community can come together and end this violence," says Pruitt. "We have good officers here and they need to be appreciated and respected."
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