CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Candlelight Vigil in Todd Henry's Memory

Candlelight Vigil in Todd Henry's Memory

By Anthony Austin

Students, teachers, and family members held a candlelight vigil on Thursday night to remember slain John Tyler Teacher Todd Henry.

Just looking around the crowd, you could tell that hearts were heavy tonight. As two schools came together to remember the teacher who died such a tragic death.

Songs of encouragement were lifted in the parking lot of New Life Community Church.

As students, co-workers, remembered Todd Henry, a teacher who was fatally stabbed in his classroom allegedly by a student.

"It's just something inside of me that wanted me to come out tonight, to show that we're not all bad students, that we do care," said John Tyler Senior, Veronica Flores.

Henry's wife, Jan, stood surrounded by her family. She offered her own words of encouragement to a grieving crowd.

"He loved John Tyler, he wanted to make a difference, and you know what, he's going to make a difference," Jan Henry told the crowd.

J.T.'s friendly sports rival, Robert E. Lee High School, hosted the candlelight vigil.

"Our staff wore blue today, and made ribbons for our teachers to wear," commented Robert E. Lee Accountant, Lezlie Boyd.

But this night, both schools stood united as one.

"It's not Northside, Southside, It's Tyler ISD. We all serve the same students," explained Robert E. Lee Principal Roger McAdoo.

"We know this was an isolated incident and that this could happen to anyone, anywhere," responded Boyd.

As a town comes to terms with the death of a man, whose family said he loved his students and his community.

"I wish everybody could just see the impact of this, it's just no words for me to explain it," added Flores.

It may be a time of darkness, but the lights they hold stand not for a life lost. But a life that will be remembered, a life that was well lived.