NORWALK, Iowa — A badge of remembrance, honor and support flooded social media Sunday morning to remember Ofc. Jayson Spurr, a member of the Norwalk Police Department who recently died of pancreatic cancer.
Police departments across the metro changed their profile pictures to a Norwalk Police Badge with a purple ribbon, which symbolizes support for those with pancreatic cancer.
"It's a brotherhood, a network if you will," said Richard DeJoode, Peer Support Foundation treasurer. "You know, no matter what part of the first responder network you're in, there's some days that there's nothing going on, and then there's days you go from 0 to 100 in a blink of an eye."
The Peer Support Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps first responders through difficult times.
"[Being] a good listener is very important, being confidential is very important and try to provide them the best resources and advice that you can," DeJoode said when asked how to best support first responders.
The Peer Support Foundation has worked with communities across the state, and they say seeing support goes a long way.
"It's a very good feeling that especially in this day, that there's those people out there that have the sympathetic ear," DeJoode said.
Luckily, the entire community is rallying behind Norwalk police.
Community members supported Spurr from the moment he received his diagnosis. In December, Norwalk police sold patches to raise money for Spurr to help offset the cost of his treatments and travel expenses, according to the Indianola Independent Advocate.
More recently, in January, several central Iowa law enforcement departments held a "Public Safety Chili Cookoff" in support of Spurr.
Even after his passing, community members continue to share support for Spurr, his family and his peers through hundreds of comments on social media.
Spurr will be remembered not only for his commitment to the Norwalk Police Department, but for his work organizing fundraisers, like a dodgeball tournament, and taking part in Dare Iowa, an organization supporting Iowa youth.