SCRANTON, Pa. — Residents of Scranton remain in shock after an officer was critically wounded in a shootout early Thursday.
A sign of support waved on the front lawn of a home on Ravine Street in Scranton.
"I have a new one in honor of the officer. Say our prayers, hope he gets better, hope things get better in the city," said Scranton resident John Vaccaro.
The flag shows a thin blue line—a symbol of strength, as an officer is fighting for his life after being shot Thursday morning in Scranton. It's a simple gesture from another brother in blue.
"It's heartbreaking," Vaccaro said. "You feel for the family. We all go out every day and just hope we come back safe."
Vaccaro is a state constable and school resource officer for the Scranton School District. he says the shooting is a sobering reminder for everyone who serves.
"We go out there, we do our best. Our job is to keep everybody safe for the first guys out there to protect everybody. If something happens, we're out there; we do our job."
And his flag is a symbol that hope can rise up during the darkest times, even from strangers on a front lawn.
"My prayers are out for him and his family."