Cheers and chants of support spilled into the streets of Lakeland Thursday night during a rally that attracted hundreds of people.
The event, hosted by the spouses of police officers, was to show them the community supports they work they do.
Among the crowd of supporters was Charles Kondek, the father of Charles Kondek, Junior, the police officer who was shot and killed in Tarpon Springs this past December.
"It's good to see the support. It doesn't heal it, but it's good to see that people are supporting law enforcement. It's good to see the silent majority come forward," Kondek said.
He told ABC Action News that his son's family -- six kids and his widow -- are taking it day by day. Every time another officer around the country gets shot or killed, he thinks about his son even more so than he already does.
"It just brings up old wounds," he said.
Officers from nearly every agency in Polk County were represented at Thursday's unity rally. If the officers couldn't make it, many wives or children did come out with signs of support.
"It's frightening at times, but mostly we're just proud that he's willing to go out and fight for people who don't care," said Julie Weech, the wife of Lakeland Detective Scott Weech.
The family of Lakeland Officer Anulfo Crispin also made an appearance at the rally. Crispin was shot and kill din the line of duty four years ago this December.
