(Editor’s note: The following letter, dated Feb. 1, 2012, was submitted by W. Canova Peterson IV, Mechanicsville District representative on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors.)

Here it is, the first day of February and when I awoke this morning the first thing I saw was the front page of the [Richmond] Times-Dispatch declaring that Hanover was in mourning. The article included a photograph taken last night at the vigil for Caroline and Madison King.

I only wish that the article and photo could have truly expressed what took place Tuesday night.

Yes, it was a time for mourning the loss of two innocent children. But, it also was a time that showed the true colors of Mechanicsville and Hanover residents. Hundreds of people were there, infants to elderly, filling the yards and streets in this quiet residential community with love and caring support for Ms. [Kristina] Hooper and her family. I was too far back in the crowd to hear everything that was said or to understand the words of every prayer. But that was OK for the power of the community’s spirit filled the air. As I stood there sharing the light from my candle and watching hundreds of balloons soaring into the night sky, I knew that Caroline and Madison were safe in God’s hand and that their mother was safe in ours.

I share my experience of this vigil so that people can see what a wonderful community we have in Mechanicsville and Hanover County. The loss of these children is certainly a tragedy, but the response to it and the other recent tragedies in our area is what makes me proud to be part of this community. 

Mechanicsville and Ashland in Hanover County were recently recognized as being in the top 100 communities in America for raising children, and with good reason. Any community is subject to having tragic incidents from time to time and Hanover County has, unfortunately, been subjected to four such totally unrelated incidents in a very short period of time. It is how we have responded to these tragedies that has validated why we received those recognitions.

Our Sherriff’s Office, with the help of citizens all over our county, found resolution to each tragic incident within hours of their occurrences. County resources have been made available to help all those families, friends, neighbors, students and others who may be mourning. In each incident neighbors, friends and fellow citizens have shown up on the doorsteps of those affected with offers of care and support.

We are standing tall and declaring to all the world that we are a strong, safe and caring community. Our recent tragedies occurred in a freakishly short window of time and there is no reason to think that this is normal in our community. We all know better. The quality of life in Hanover County is second to none and will only continue to improve.

May God bless all those who are suffering, all of those who are lending their hands and hearts in support and Hanover County.