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ORDERVILLE -- A Southern Utah community gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil in honor of a deputy shot down in the line of duty Thursday.
Deputy Brian Harris was well known and loved in his hometown of Mount Carmel, near Kanab. Hundreds of people from the community he served and protected came together at the Valley High School football field to remember a man who touched the lives of many.
"The loss, at first glance, is overwhelming and it grows from there," said Ellen Lamb, a family friend.
We're proud of him being a veteran and serving his country, and he was still serving it until 2:20 in the afternoon on Thursday.
–Bruce Harris
By candlelight, hundreds of people shared a moment of silence for Brian Harris, and said a prayer for his wife and two girls, who are 10 and 13 years old.
"He was fun to be around and he was just a very kind-hearted man," said family friend Kim Lamb.
Related:
More crews to hunt for Utah fugitive
More law enforcement teams were being called in Sunday to hunt down a man accused of killing a Utah sheriff's deputy.Outside Harris' home in Mount Carmel, American flags and patriotic balloons reflect his life of service. Harris, a 13-year veteran of the Kane County Sheriff's Office, served in the Army and the Gulf War.
"We're proud of him being a veteran and serving his country, and he was still serving it until 2:20 in the afternoon on Thursday," said Brian's father, Bruce Harris.
Harris' alleged killer, Scott Curley, escaped -- launching a massive manhunt in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Harris' family hopes the fugitive will be caught soon.
"He must be a very troubled young man," said Bert Harris, Brian Harris' brother. "Hopefully they will get him and take care of the things that are bothering him. I know he's done something that he'll never be able to take back and that's going to leave a hole in us."
Bert Harris wants Curley's family to know, they're thinking of them too.
"We want to send our love to them and let them know that we know that they're going through a hard time too," he said.
Nothing is going to replace the loss of our brother and husband and father, but we have solace in the fact that we do believe that we will see him again.
–Bert Harris.
Harris' death is felt by an entire community. He served on the Orderville City Council and was a volunteer firefighter. Those who knew him say he was a friend to everyone and was always quick to lend a helping hand.
"Nothing is going to replace the loss of our brother and husband and father, but we have solace in the fact that we do believe that we will see him again," said Bert Harris.
Sunday night, people gathered to remember all he did. They say his death brings attention to the work of law enforcement, and the meaning of sacrifice.
"Everyone has lost a loved one, one way or another," said Bruce Harris. "It's just this one was senseless and sudden."
Funeral services have not yet been set. The family says they would like to wait so that all the officers involved in the search for Curley can attend.
There will be another candlelight vigil in Kanab Monday night.
Saturday, the U.S. Marshals Service announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to Curley's capture.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
