Lyons hardware store manager helps Rice County 'go blue' for law enforcement

Across Rice County, people are "going blue" to show their support for law enforcement. The outward show of support comes as Rice County's sheriff and undersheriff

Rice County Sheriff Bryant Evans is out of the hospital, recovering from a gunshot wound to his leg. Undersheriff Chad Murphy's condition at a Wichita hospital has improved from "critical" to "serious," the Kansas Bureau of Investigation says.

A coordinated, countywide effort to show support for the injured officers and others who serve with them started with Matt Stafford, the manager of the Pride Ag Ace Hardware in Lyons bringing a couple blue light bulbs to a prayer vigil Monday night. He handed them out. Others took notice and started asking for one, so he ordered more.

Stafford says he is getting the bulbs donated for free from the Pride Ag company.

"We just want the community to have something they can put up and show their support," he says. "And the outpouring of support (has) been amazing. This has just been one small thing that's happening."

Wednesday afternoon, Stafford had a little less than 200 bulbs available and planned to give them out while supplies last.