GRIFFIN, Ga. — The community of Griffin continues to honor fallen Spalding County Deputy Sgt. Marc McIntyre, who was tragically killed in the line of duty.
Dozens of mourners paid their respects during a vigil Saturday night. And local businesses have found a way to support his family as well.
Spalding County Sheriff Daryl Dix told mourners Saturday night that he doesn't want people to remember Sgt. McIntyre for how he died but, instead, for how he lived. His death left a hole in the hearts of the brothers in Blue.
"It's a devastating loss, not just for our agency, but for this community," Dix said.
And if there's any testament to that, it's proven by how they've shown up for McIntyre. At his vigil, Dix said no one could hold a candle to him.
"There were even people that were here, that I spoke to, that have been in this jail before that knew Marc when he was the detention officer," Dix said.
Flynn Von Roretz said he's known McIntyre for eight years. He said Roretz was committed to serving his community.
"Recently, he resuscitated a homeless guy," Von Roretz added, "And he did that like three or four weeks ago. And he got an award and everything for doing that. He's been (dragged) by other people, like physically (dragged) hundreds of feet."
Von Roretz said he'll miss the way McIntyre would light up a room.
"You could cut up with him and just talk crap," Von Roretz said. "And he was super cool about it. He'd give it right back to you. Definitely an awesome dude, loved him."
Flynn's son, Wyatt, loved him, too.
"Sometimes, he would come over to my school to check on me," Wyatt said.
Wyatt said McIntyre would support their family business.
"He didn't deserve what happened to him," Wyatt said.
McIntyre was shot in the head and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance, according to Dix. Even before the vigil, the Griffin community felt they had to do something for the loved ones he left behind.
That same day, Danielle Stamps' shop, Downtown Nutrition, announced they were selling Police Tea. The drink costs $5 and she said $2 will go to McIntyre's family.
"We have so many officers that come in here. I was just like, 'Oh my gosh, it could it really could have been anybody,'" Stamps said.
Stamps said the shop has been overwhelmed with support.
"We have been blown away," Stamps said. "We have sold 83 teas so far. And that was in four hours."
Local businesses and the sheriff's office alike have been feeling the love since losing McIntyre. During the vigil, the theme of their prayers is from the Holy Bible Matt 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God."
For Dix, the overwhelming love has been the peace and light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
"We're going to take it one day at a time and do what we can to get through this as an agency," Dix said.
Dix hopes people remember McIntyre for the way that he lived, not his death.
"He lived volumes of books beyond what yesterday was," Dix said.
Downtown Nutrition said they will continue selling Police Tea, as well as their sister businesses all over the state, until Jan. 13.
Von Roretz said he will have a fundraiser for McIntyre's fiance starting next week.
