They came from Greenland, Portsmouth and several other Seacoast communities to remember Police Chief Michael Maloney and to honor the four police officers shot during an armed standoff on Post Road Thursday night.

Greenland town officials held a vigil on Friday evening in front of the Greenland Town Offices that attracted nearly 1,000 people who wanted to come together and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by Maloney.

Some of Maloney's closest colleagues on the Greenland Police force also shared their fondest memories of a man they say gave so much of himself to protect his community even when he had less than a week to go until retirement.

"Chief Maloney was a friend to me and a mentor, not just a boss," said Greenland Police Sgt. Dawn Sawyer. "He had a passion for his job, always."

When asked why police officers like Maloney and the other four police officers risked their lives when they attempted to execute a search warrant to search the home of Cullen Mutrie at 517 Post Road on Thursday, Sawyer replied, "It's our job and we do it."

Greenland Selectmen Chairman John Panacho said the town would hold a community day at the Greenland Central School on Saturday at 1 p.m. where members of the Seacoast town could come together and heal from the tragedy. He said grief counselors would be on hand for anyone that needs their services. Panacho said the gathering would also be closed to the media.

As Portsmouth area residents held lit candles, they banded together to show support for the families of Maloney and the other police officers as well as one another.

"We'll all come together," said Brian Fogarty of Greenland, who lost his 9-year-old son, Thomas, to a tragic accident in the 2006 Portsmouth Christmas parade when the boy fell off a float. "We're all going to get through this together, one community."