Heroics remembered as grieving community shows bravery in moving forward after mass shooting at Oak Creek's Sikh Temple

To hear the 911 calls, even five years later, can send chills down your spine.

An emergency call from a member of the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek telling dispatch on August 5, 2012 that a gunman was lose inside the temple and firing at will and at random.

"You're hiding, okay," said the dispatcher. "We do have officers attempting to locate the shooter."

Then the gunshots in rapid succession are heard in the background.

Prayers began Friday at 10 a.m. and will continue through Sunday to pause and remember and move forward with healing.

The FBI would later say the Cudahy man who attacked the temple acted alone and was not directed by the white supremacist movement, to which he was associated.

The gunman was brought down by the heroics of Lt. Brian Murphy who took 15 gunshots that day and forced him out of police work, and his back up, Officer Sam Lenda, who later returned to the job.

One woman and five men in the temple were killed.

Satwant Kaleka, Sita Singh, Ranjit Singh, Suveg Singh Khattra, Prahash Singh, and Paramjit Kaur.

A mother, a church leader, a priest and even a farmer who was looking for new opportunities.

Four were Indian nationals, the rest Americans.

All had contributed spiritually and creatively to the community.

Other commemorative events include:

6K Run/Walk starts at 9:00am

Blood Drive is from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.

If you are participating in the run, please make your blood drive appointment for later in the day.
Date: Saturday, Aug 05, 2017
Location: Oak Creek High School  (340 E. Puetz Rd., Oak Creek, WI 53154)

The Chardhi Kala 6K will be a community event honoring those we lost on August 5, 2012, as well as celebrating all that we have done to bring the community closer together.

In the years following the tragic events,the Oak Creek community has undergone some incredibly positive growth. Despite the horrific nature of this tragedy, the events of August 5th propelled many into action, resulting in numerous service events and the coming together of diverse communities.

Members of the Sikh community played a highly visible, integral role in the community and were embraced by the greater Oak Creek community.