February 1, 2022
At the end of December we reported no homicides. However 2 deaths had occurred in Trotwood on December 16th — that of Trinity Elam, 3, and her father. An ongoing investigation was initiated. The coroner ruled their shooting deaths as a murder/suicide (DDN, 1-29-22). We can only imagine the grief the family continues to experience. As the month of January ends so have the lives of the following persons: January 2: Johnny A. Fleming, 43, killed in the area of Sumac Ct. and Majestic Dr. January 4: Darryl Dean, 62 and Marty Powers, 29 on Randolph St. near Lakeview. January 13: Emily Warrell, 40, Patterson near Stewart, being investigated as homicide. January 26: Brandon Cooper, 35, Lyft driver, shot to death in his car on Ferguson Ave. Let us pray for each of them as well as their families, friends, and all who loved them. SPECIAL NOTE: Our annual memorial prayer service for victims and families will be held on Facebook Live, Saturday, March 5th beginning at 12:00 noon. It will be hosted at Salem Heights, central house of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Joining in the remembrance will be members of the World House Choir. Please mark your calendars and join us at: Facebook.com/CHPVDayton PRAYER: God of the sorrowing, we pray for family and friends of Trinity Elam, Johnny Fleming, Darryl Dean, Marty Powers and Brandon Cooper. May you wipe away the tears from their eyes. May they be comforted by the fact that nothing can separate them from your love. For each victim death came as a thief in the night. We trust that they are now experiencing new life in your kingdom. From these tragic deaths may we find the courage to overcome the violence that seeks to destroy families and neighborhoods. We make this prayer trusting in the power of Jesus’ Precious Blood shed for all humankind. Amen. SCRIPTURE: Lamentations 3: 22-24. The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. REFLECTION: What word or phrase most speaks to me? PERSONAL PRAYER FOR: VICTIMS, FAMILIES/ LOVED ONES, PERPETRATORS, POLICE, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND AN END TO ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT OUR WORLD. LORD, MAKE US INSTRUMENTS OF YOUR PEACE