The funeral procession for Peach County Sheriff's Sgt. Patrick Sondron is planned for Thursday.
It will begin at 9 a.m. in Fort Valley and will come up through Byron on Highway 49. It will then get on Interstate 75 south to Russell Parkway.
The entire service and procession will be live streamed on 13wmaz.com.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church, 1040 S. Houston Lake Road.
Houston Lake Road to Pleasant Hill Road will be completely closed to traffic from about 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as the procession makes its way to Magnolia Park Cemetery.
Signs of a community healing and united are everywhere. Dozens will "Line 49" to bid Sergeant Patrick Sondron farewell Thursday.
"You know we heard a lot of people say things like this don't happen in Byron and it's true they don't. Nothing like this has ever happened to us,” says Stephanie Evans who is helping with the event.
But it is something Chief Wesley Cannon, with the City of Byron Police Department says, they always prepare for.
"You know whenever you take your oath and you put on your badge for the first time, a police officer has to accept that this could be a reality,” says Chief Cannon.
It did become a reality for two Peach County deputies, but Chief Cannon says it is a special thing when your community backs the blue.
"It's all a part of the healing process and the grieving process. When things like that happen, it's the community grieving. It's the community having a chance to heal. It's the community showing us that they're behind us,” says Chief Cannon.
He says everyone is doing what they can to pitch in. Caleb Brown has been selling "Back the Blue" bows for $10 at Freshway Market in Byron using his own money. All the proceeds will go to the deputies' families. But there is always someone to help. A woman bought the rest of his bows and paid him back half the money he has spent on supplies.
It is the kind of community support many hope for.
"Everybody just wants to support our little town where stuff like this doesn't happen in. Cause we're all a family in places like this,” says Brown.
A family that doesn't let tragedy overcome.
The police procession Thursday is open to the public. Also if you'd like to buy those Back the Blue bows, Caleb Brown will be back at the Freshway Market in Byron Thursday selling them. He managed to sell 75 of them in just a few hours Wednesday night.
The following is Sondron's obituary from McCullough Funeral Home's website.
Patrick was born on July 21, 1975 in Miami, Florida to Michael and Patricia Sondron. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. After honorably serving his country, Patrick chose a career in law enforcement where he continued his service to others. Patrick joined the Fort Valley Police Department in 1999, later transferring to the Byron Police Department before finding his home with the Peach County Sherriff's Office 13 years ago. He held the rank of Sergeant assigned to the Patrol Division and he was also a member of the SWAT team. Patrick had a pilot's license; he enjoyed flying and driving charter buses for C&H. He loved cars, especially Dodge Challengers, was an enthusiastic die cast collector, and enjoyed going on cruises. Patrick was a dedicated public servant, a respected partner to others in law enforcement and was known to be kind and level-headed. A well-loved friend to many, he was described as a true ambassador for Peach County. Above all else, he was a devoted husband and father who loved spending time with the family he adored.
In addition to his parents, his memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife, Melissa Marie Sondron and three children, Skylor Jacob Sondron, Ethan Lewis McCoy Ward, and Sierra Rose D'Anne Ward, all of Warner Robins.
Sondron was shot to death Sunday while responding to a call in Byron for feuding neighbors.
Deputy Daryl Smallwood was also shot. After being put on life support, he died Tuesday in a Macon hospital.
Suspected shooter, Ralph Elrod Jr., is recovering at Medical Center-Navicent Health. He was shot in the abdomen during the shoot out, according to the GBI. He's charged with murder and aggravated assault.
Deputy Smallwood's service will be held Saturday at the Byron City Auditorium. The exact times are still being determined.
