Last Wednesday the Pickens County community was struck by a terrible tragedy. J. Redmond Coyle, a prominent lawyer and community leader, was murdered as he left his office on Main Street, Pickens.

The sense of loss was intense and immediate. Coyle had helped countless families in the county through his law practice, and had earned the respect of his colleagues. He was generous with his time, teaching a Sunday school class at Rock Springs Baptist Church. He taught adult education classes, and worked with the Pickens County Behavioral Health, providing leadership for troubled boys. There are probably dozens of other ways he contributed to the community, but humbly avoided taking credit for his actions.

Coyle’s importance to the community was evident Saturday afternoon, as thousands came to Rock Springs Baptist Church hoping to provide a little comfort to his family during this time.

Many have expressed a feeling of emptiness. The man whom police say shot Coyle and then turned his gun on himself has also died. There is no public outcry for revenge or justice — just a feeling of deep sadness.

Perhaps the best way we can deal with this tragedy is to serve others in honor of Coyle’s memory. We can volunteer for community organizations. We can provide council for the young and the underprivileged. We can offer compassion to those who are going through difficult times.

It is unlikely that Coyle’s many friends in the Pickens County community will ever make sense of the violent end of his life. But we can instead focus, not on the way that he died, but the way that he lived.