POULSBO — February 2012 will likely be remembered as a time when Kitsap grieved, when we tried to make sense of it all, to understand why any of it happened, to understand if any of it could have been prevented.

On Feb. 8, Joseph Michael Henninger of Poulsbo was shot and killed by local police after he allegedly fired a gun inside the Les Schwab Tire Center on Viking Avenue. His family said a change in medication may have led to his uncharacteristic behavior.

On Feb. 17, Adam T. Hewins of Kingston allegedly tried to rob the Timberland Bank branch on Viking Avenue because, he reportedly told police later, he has been out of work, his rent is past due and he needed the money.

On Feb. 21, Darwin Dunker of Poulsbo was shot and killed in his apartment by his friend. Casey Cutlip of Poulsbo turned himself in and was charged with first-degree murder.

On Feb. 22, 8-year-old Amina Kocer-Bowman was shot and critically injured by a handgun that discharged in a 9-year-old classmate’s backpack at Armin Jahr Elementary School in Bremerton. The gun belonged to the boyfriend of the classmate’s mom.

On Feb. 23, Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu was shot to death during a traffic stop on State Route 16 near Gorst around 1 a.m. The suspect later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

On Feb. 24, State Park Ranger Ed Johanson was killed while driving home to Seabeck when a vehicle swerved from the opposite lane and struck his vehicle head-on. Charges are pending on the driver’s toxicology results.

On Feb. 26, Phillip Burlew of Bremerton was found dead near Snider Park in Poulsbo of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was reported missing Jan. 6 by his father, who warned Phillip was suicidal.

On Feb. 28, Cheryl Penttila was run over and killed by a car in the First Lutheran Church parking lot on 4th Street in Poulsbo. Witnesses blame the foul weather, slippery road surface and lack of lighting; police ruled it an accident.

After reading so much heavy news, Pastor Alison Shane of Poulsbo First Lutheran Church wanted to hold a community gathering so people could comfort each other, share memories, and pray together.

And so, on Tuesday, about 50 people went to the church to share in their grief and to recognize that by standing together, they can get through it.

“We’re dealing with death — violent death, tragic death. Some not so tragic and not so violent, but still death,” Shane said.

“There is something we can do for each other. That’s why we gather.”

Everyone was handed a small candle before taking their seats, and after some song and Scripture, the candles were lit and folks sat in silence as Shane read aloud the reasons why everyone was there.

“We pray for the removal of fear in this community,” Shane said. “We pray for the first responders who endure tragedy every day…who are on the line every day.”

“Fear is a dangerous thing,” Sheriff Steve Boyer said at the memorial service for Park Ranger Ed Johanson March 2. “We want to acknowledge people’s fears and sadness. They need reassurance from each other and our leadership … If we can help, we’ll all be there.”

Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson attended Johanson’s memorial and Tuesday’s community service, which she said was “very helpful.”

“How I deal with stresses and strains that have occurred here is I just work harder,” Erickson said.

She and County Commissioner Rob Gelder will co-hosting a community safety meeting March 24 to give residents all the information they’ll need to keep themselves safe. Erickson said Cencom, the area 9-1-1 service, and the Department of Emergency Management will share Block Watch and emergency preparedness information. The meeting will be in the council chambers at Poulsbo City Hall, 200 NE Moe St., at 1 p.m.

“Gathering and being together, and recognizing that we’re all feeling this even if we’re not directly involved,” Hansville resident Joanne Erickson said on why she attended the church service.

“So much heartbreak,” said Norma Tipton, a member of Kitsap Quilters who knew Penttila and the driver. She said talking with her family and fellow quilters about her grief helped. “We’re all in this together.”

“It’s the only thing we can do, we can’t change” what happened, fellow Quilter Ann Trujillo said.

Poulsbo resident Dave Webster said having another person to “engage with” is what helps him get through these public, as well as private, tragedies.

“We need some place to be where we’re not alone,” he said. “We need each other.”

Find a list of resources here.