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Ellis Safety Coalition To End

Posted at 3:06 PM, Aug 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-16 15:06:53-04

MADISON COUNTY, Ky (LEX 18) The man behind the Ellis Safety Coalition says it is time to move forward. He spoke with LEX 18 on why he is ending the coalition, but continuing the mission behind it.

In November 2015, David Gannon’s life and the city of Richmond were changed forever. His wife was the victim of a robbery at the Gulf Station parking lot on Main Street. Officer Daniel Ellis was investigating that robbery when he was ultimately shot and killed.

"We’ll never forget Daniel, and what happened with Daniel," said Gannon.

Through his feelings of grief and anger, Gannon created the Ellis Safety Coalition to keep his story in the spotlight while working to make a difference in the community. 

"It was something I felt we needed to do as a community," said Gannon. "Everybody was looking to try and figure out what they could do."

Over the years, thousands followed along on the Facebook page. Gannon is proud of the coalition’s accomplishments in support of the local police. Now that the case against the suspects is closed, Gannon said it is time to turn the page, both for his family and the Ellis family.

"With my wife trying to move forward, and Katie moving forward with her life — to have the Ellis Safety Coalition name keep popping up it just keeps dropping them back in to reminders," said Gannon. 

He is hopeful to continue his mission in other ways down the line, under a new name, but always in the spirit of a local hero, gone too soon. 

Gannon tells LEX 18 that the Facebook page dedicated to the safety coalition will be taken down in the coming days. The safety coalition is not associated with the Daniel Ellis Memorial Foundation which awards scholarships in the fallen officer’s name. That will continue to go on.