LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)— Sergeant Matt Gard of the Lafayette Police Department described the day they heard the news as a tragedy.

Now the department is showing its support with a Lafayette Police patch and sending it to an organization making blankets for Deputy Jacob Pickett's family.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is asking for help from law enforcement across Indiana to make a blanket for Pickett's children. The blanket will include patches from police departments across the state of Indiana.

IMPD tweeted out asking law enforcement to send a patch from their department for the blanket. Lafayette Police mailed one of their patches today to show their support.

Sergeant Matthew Gard says their patch will remind Pickett's children how respected he was.

"This represents what Lafayette Police Department is and who we are," said Gard. "No one else has a patch like this, so this is unique to us. And sending this to another agency, it's a sign of caring, a sign of respect, it really shows we stand together with them."

Once the blanket is finished it will be given to Pickett's two and three-year-old sons. Other departments are being encouraged to send patches as well.