"Honoring Hometown Heroes" event in Pendleton - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Saturday afternoon emergency responders in southern Madison County were honored.

The event had been planned months ago to give emergency responders the chance to spend time with each other's families.  After the shooting earlier this week in Pendleton, this special event was needed more than ever.

A small gathering, in a small Indiana community, to honor the men and women who serve in a big way.

Trey Oldham a chaplains for Pendleton Police Department, told Eyewitness News,  "Everyone that puts on a badge it doing it because they want to help people."

The event was called "Honoring Hometown Heroes" in Pendleton.  Emergency responders and their families gathered at Falls Park for an event planned months ago- but, this week, it came at the perfect time.

"In light of what happened this week, it is more important than ever to keep this event to honor them," said Oldham.

Friday morning Anderson Police showed up to help Pendleton officers deal with a man shooting at them. That shooting suspect, 58-year-old Jim Bailey wouldn't listen. Before police say Bailey turned the gun on himself, he shot and killed 48-year-old Neal Schull,  who was on his way home from work. Anderson police officer Marty Dulworth was also shot. Officer Dulworth lived, but his police dog, "Kilo" did not.

An unexplained act of violence involving two police families.

"The last 24 hours are unique time for police officers, coming together when we are in trouble. That's exactly what you saw Friday morning," says Anderson officer Joel Sandefur.

Sandefur spent time at the picnic Saturday, reminding all of us, that boundaries disappear when there's danger: "We have a common goal. Public safety."

Anderson police officer Marty Dulworth is still at St. Vincent's hospital recovering after being shot in the both legs. We're told he does have more surgeries planned. Officer Dulworth's K-9 "Kilo" was killed Friday. The dog will be cremated, and the department is planning a memorial service.