Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Juniata County residents gather for a vigil held in honor of fallen Pennsylvania State Police Tpr. Jacques “Jay” F. Rougeau Jr. The community will come together for a ‘comfort’ event Saturday, which will include service dogs.

MIFFLINTOWN — The tragic events of June 17 in Juniata County have left a community in shock and reeling.

A fatal shooting that claimed the life of Pennsylvania State Police Tpr. Jacques “Jay” F. Rougeau Jr., critically injured Lt. James Wagner and left the shooter dead have stunned many residents. The incident has also gripped the county as well as surrounding communities.

A community comfort event is planned for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Myers Park in Mifflintown to help residents heal. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Messiah Lutheran Church in Mifflintown. The free event has been organized by the officers and board of directors of the Paul W. DeLauter Youth Center in conjunction with Mayor Roxann McGinnis and the Borough of Mifflintown.

The event was organized to recognize the service of the Pennsylvania State Police and area first responders while providing comfort to them and their families, as well as providing comfort and support to all of the area’s children, youth, and adults who were affected by the tragic shooting.

In attendance will be two Lutheran Church Charities K-9 comfort dogs. The ministry is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers. LCC K-9 comfort dogs are working animals, trained to interact with people of all ages and circumstances who are suffering and in need. Comfort dog Kezia from Maryland and comfort dog Amos from Virginia will attend with their handlers to offer comfort and support.

Residents are asked to leave pets at home and bring a lawn chair.

The opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m. with welcome and introductions by McGinnis, DeLauter Youth Center President Karen Sigler and Secretary Anne Supplee, as well as Representative Perry Stambaugh, followed by the Invocation by Pastor Henry of River Church in Mifflintown.

“This is truly an event for our community and by our community,” Supplee said. “So many people have come together in the planning of this event, and everyone’s contributions are greatly appreciated. We sincerely hope that what began as an informal brainstorming session helps to bring comfort and hope to our community in this time of darkness.”

Live music by local musicians will be interspersed throughout the event, and there will be a children’s art area for drawing and coloring with a coloring page from the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Coloring Book.

At 12:10 p.m., a brief information session on responses to and tips for handling response to trauma will be given by licensed psychologist David G. Ray, M.Ed. and licensed professional counselor Mike Grabill, volunteers with Seven Mountains/Susquehanna Valley Critical Incident Stress Management team. An information table with handouts prepared by Cpl. Troy Hendershot, PSP CISM Team Leader, will also be available during the event.

The ceremony will close with a benediction and the LCC comfort dogs departing to visit first responders and others affected.