Candlelight vigil for fallen Dunn County corrections officer

MENOMONIE, Wis. (WEAU) - A candlelight vigil took place Wednesday evening to honor Dunn County Corrections Officer Jeffrey Reynolds who was tragically killed last week. The event served as a place where family, coworkers and the community could come together to support their own.

Hundreds gathered at the Dunn County Judicial Center in remembrance of the life of Reynolds.

“We feel overwhelming support from our community,” Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd, said. “It is heart-wrenching to see how this impacts the entire community but we know we’re surrounded and supported by our community.”

Reynolds was killed in a suspected drunk driving incident on Christmas Eve as he was heading to work. He served in the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office for more than 16 years. His coworkers said he was quiet, funny and well-liked by both staff and inmates.

“I’ve said it for years, you have to be a saint to make a full career out of being a corrections officer,” Bygd said. “Having to deal with our communities less than pleasant population most days, day in and day out, is the most difficult job in law enforcement, hands down.”

“This is going to sting deep for a long time,” St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson, said.

Among those showing support at the gathering were members of surrounding law enforcement agencies.

“It was a year and a half ago that we suffered our loss with Kaitie Lieising and Dunn County was some of the first to respond with their officers deputies,” Knudson said. “So, we’re really just returning that favor, that kindness, that generosity that they showed to us.”

One of the goals of the gathering was to help each other get through the loss.

“The law enforcement community is vast and we will be there for each other,” Knudson said.

The community ultimately coming together to honor the life and legacy of 56-year-old Jeffrey Reynolds, a corrections officer, a husband and a father.

A visitation for Reynolds is this Friday from 2-5 at Hulke Family Funeral Home in Eau Claire.