Hundreds Attend Vigil to Honor Fallen Deputies

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

WEWOKA, Oklahoma -- The Seminole community organized a candlelight vigil for the deputies they considered as family.

When Marvin Williams and Chase Whitebird's lives were taken on Sunday, the Seminole County Sheriff's Department lost a sixth of its law enforcement family.

"I didn't just lose two deputies, I've lost a brother and a son," Seminole County Sheriff Shannon Smith said.

Vigil organizers had over 1,000 candles ready for what was expected to be a tremendous crowd. Organizers said they were worried they would run out of candles.

Willie Williams, the brother of fallen deputy Marvin Williams, spoke at Wednesday's vigil along with other Seminole County Sheriff deputies and the Seminole County Sheriff.

The vigil was Wednesday at 8 p.m. outside the Seminole County Courthouse where a makeshift memorial has grown since Sunday.

The accused killer, Ezekiel Holbert, faces two counts of murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

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