By Kristi L. Nelson of the Knoxville News Sentinel

MARYVILLE — Greg LaRusch never met Kenny Moats, but he held a candle for him Friday night all the same.

"It's a brotherhood," said LaRusch, a reserve deputy in neighboring Sevier County. "When one falls, we all fall."

LaRusch and hundreds of others lit candles and raised their voices in a chorus of "Amazing Grace" in memory of Moats, a little more than 24 hours after the 32-year-old father of three became the city's first police officer to die in the line of duty in 35 years — shot Thursday afternoon while answering a domestic violence call.

A crowd began flooding into the green space around Maryville's Theater in the Park, just outside the Blount County Courthouse on South Court Street, more than an hour before the start of the 8 p.m. vigil. Many brought boxes of candles and paper plates or cups to serve as holders, piled by the thousands on long tables and in tubs that volunteers carried through the crowd.

"A hero remembered … never dies" read an onstage banner bearing Moats' photo, name and the date of his "end of watch," near an American flag at half-staff. Nearby, people lined up to write personal messages on prayer cards printed with five scriptures, to be distributed later to local officers.

"It was just a few weeks ago that many of us stood not too far from here to lift up Dallas" after officers there were shot and killed, said Blount County Sheriff's Office Chaplain Coordinator Brad Bryant. "Tonight, we're here to lift each other up. … Tonight, we're one. Tonight, we call on our God for peace, for comfort, for safety."

Nearly 1,000 people attended the vigil, from babies in strollers and arms to older people with walkers and canes. Many wore blue shirts in support of law enforcement.

LaRusch brought his children to the vigil. Son Cody, 12, was tasked with keeping an American flag from touching the ground, while daughter Alexis, 10, held a homemade poster proclaiming prayers for officers.

After a two-minute silent prayer, East Maryville Baptist Church Associate Pastor Jason Salyer instructed the crowd to break into smaller groups to pray — first for Moats' family and friends, "whose hurt … is more than most at this hour," later for all police officers "as they shoulder the hurt and struggle," and finally for law enforcement families.

Amid a chorus of cicadas, people circled shoulder-to-shoulder, some clasping hands or knotted in embraces. Some prayed loudly and confidently; others stood silent, eyes squeezed shut.

Onstage, Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp, Blount County Sheriff James Berrong and Maryville Vice Mayor Andy White stood with local pastors.

Crisp said officers were "humbled and thankful," although not surprised, by the community's support. The vigil ended with a loud cheer for police officers.

Wanda Burger, whose son works as a police officer and is related to some of Moats' extended family, said the vigil offered a small measure of comfort for those grieving and worried about their own — "a little thing, for a short moment."

Many in the crowd said they grew up with Moats, knew his family, or had law enforcement ties — or all three.

"He was a good guy," said Ginger Keller, a volunteer whose husband works as a corrections officer in Blount County. "He'll be missed by a lot of people. You can look around and see that."