CONNERSVILLE, Ind. -- Connersville is rallying around a former Indiana State Trooper fired this week for promoting his religious beliefs during traffic stops.
Brian Hamilton was terminated after 14 years with ISP for insubordination and neglect of duty after a woman filed a lawsuit and formal complaint saying he asked her about her faith and where she goes to church during a traffic stop.
State police said it was not the first time a lawsuit or complaint had been filed against Hamilton for that reason, and that he'd been warned not to continue the behavior.
MORE | State trooper fired for proselytizing on-duty | ACLU sues ISP trooper over faith questions
The story generated enormous response on Facebook and elsewhere online – some positive, some negative – but in Connersville, where Hamilton is often found preaching out in public, people seem mostly in support of his actions.
"Everybody has a right to talk to people," said Hamilton's friend Frank Russell. "He did not try to force himself on anyone. He was asking a question."
YOU REACT | See viewers' best responses to Hamilton's firing |DISCUSSION: If Gov. Pence can be openly Christian, why can't fired trooper?
Dianna Hahn said not only should Hamilton not have been fired – he should be a model for other police officers.
PHOTOS: Fired state trooper preaches in his hometown
"I wish other officers would do that," she said. "Maybe it might touch my kids' heart that they'll get in church and give their heart to God. It's the role of anybody if you believe in Jesus. It shouldn't hurt you to have someone talk to you about it."
A rally in support of Hamilton was planned to begin at 10 a.m. in Connersville on Saturday.
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