Virginia Tech to Honor Slain TV Journalists With Patch for Football Opener Against Ohio State
ByThe Virginia Tech Hokies unveiled a patch that will honor two television journalists who worked for a local station that were shot and killed during a live report.
When Virginia Tech plays Ohio State on Monday night, Sept. 7, they will wear a patch with the number seven and the initials of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. The patch's "7" stands for WDBJ's channel number and both sets of initials sit below ribbons the color of their alma maters.
Parker's ribbon is green for James Madison University, whereas Ward's is Virginia Tech's maroon.
"It's extremely important that the families and loved ones of Allison Parker, Adam Ward, and WDBJ-TV, know that we stand united with them through this painful time," Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer said in a statement provided to WDBJ. "My heart is absolutely broken for the Parker and Ward families, and my prayer is that they gain strength and peace through the support and love of this community."
Parker was interviewing her subject while Ward operated the camera when a man who went by Bryce Williams, a former WDBJ reporter, shot and killed them. Williams then shot himself during a car chase with police hours after the incident before he died at a hospital.