Candle light vigil held to remember slain officer - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

The people of Charenton gathered for a candle light vigil Monday night to pay tribute to the police officer who was shot to death Saturday.

The raw emotions surrounding this weekend's deadly shooting are still fresh and while the pain was evident at the vigil, so was the overwhelming support from a unified community and far beyond.

Balloons were hung, candles lit and an entire community joined to honor a fallen police officer. Sgt. Rick Riggenbach of the Chitamacha Police Department was killed in the line of duty, but remembered for his life of service.

"I have no idea how many lives he saved, but he didn't care at the cost of his life," said Police Chief Blaise Smith.

"I think this is about honoring a police officer who gave everything he could and even to the very end, he was fighting to save lives and keep the danger from someone else," added Col. Mike Edmonson, supt. of Louisiana State Police.

Fellow police officers from surrounding departments joined family, friends and community members to show support for a man, a husband and a father.

"It's a difficult time for them," said Jessica Rogers, a friend of Riggenbach. "I can only imagine how his wife and children feel."

What could be felt was a strong sense of family. It's a feeling Smith said is no doubt being noticed by Riggenbach himself.

"May God bless each and every one of you. I have no doubt Sgt. Riggenbach is smiling, looking down at every one of us," Smith explained.

There will also be another vigil Wednesday at Martin Luther King Baptist Church.

Visitation for Riggenbach will be Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Twin City Funeral Home in Morgan City. His funeral service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Crossing Place Church in Franklin.

The other victim killed in the attack was Eddie Lyons, 78. The two deputies who were also shot are expected to make full recoveries.

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