HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Dozens of people went to a vigil Thursday night to remember and pay respect to fallen Hutto Police Sgt. Chris Kelley.

Crowds poured in to Fritz Park in Hutto, gathering under and around the pavilion to pray for Kelley and his family. Ask anyone in Hutto, and they will tell you this outpouring of support is no surprise.

“We have a lot of pride. We come together when times are tough,” said Thomas Lawrence.

“We’re a growing community, and yet we’re still small and close-knit,” added Lisa Gonzales. “And we support each other in everything from sports, to this.”

The loss of Kelley has shaken the community.

“It’s sad, but we’re also a little bit mad about it,” said Gonzales.

Thursday’s candlelight vigil reinforced what the people of Hutto are all about.

“[Police] put their life out on the line for all us here in this community and elsewhere, so just paying our respects,” said Lawrence.

“Any police officer that’s here in Hutto is part of our family, as a community,” Gonzales added. “We’re going to support the police department and his family to the best of our ability, in every way we can.”

Members of surrounding police departments, including Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo, also attended the vigil to support the Hutto Police Department and Kelley’s family.