In August of 2015, Andy Parker’s life changed forever. That’s when his TV journalist daughter Alison and cameraman Adam Ward were murdered during a live broadcast for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke.
Parker then took on a career as an activist, lobbying for gun legislation. But he says it took time to realize his story would be something worth sharing. Several months later, Parker starting writing a book to honor his daughter’s memory, and serve as a call to action. The result is ‘For Alison: The Murder of a Young Journalist and a Father’s Fight for Gun Safety.’ Parker says it became an effective way to channel his emotions.
“It does feel good to have (the book) done,” he said. “It gave me a purpose. It gave me something to do, and to focus every single day.”
Within days of Alison’s death, Parker was doing a number of media appearances, becoming an advocate for gun legislation, working with groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and the Brady Campaign.
He abandoned his former career as a corporate headhunter to focus full time on gun control.
“I was pretty insistent – and I still am- the Republican Party is the party of the National Rifle Association,” he said. “The irony of the whole thing is, the vast majority of gun owners support common sense gun legislation, just like 97-percent of the American public supports common sense gun legislation.”
Parker says that starts with measures like the background checks legislation passed by the U.S. House in February.
He also cites efforts in Florida, which passed ‘red flag’ legislation that allow law enforcement to take guns away from those who pose a danger to other people or themselves. The measure was approved after the 2018 shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School.
Parker’s book is also meant as a tribute to Alison, and tell people how she touched and inspires people still today. He also cited Alison’s numerous awards as a reporter and anchor with WDBJ.
“I wanted to share stories about who she was as a person, how she grew up, anecdotal stories, and her accomplishments,” he said. “She was just a kind person. She was a kind soul. And people loved her.”
Parker and his wife Barbara have also launched the For Alison Foundation, meant to help underserved youth in Southwest Virginia participate in arts activities. Alison enjoyed ballet, and reporting on arts-related stories.
Parker will hold a book signing on Monday, April 1 from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Blue Ridge Regional Library in Martinsville. He’ll also hold a signing on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 pm at the Roanoke Public Library Glenvar Branch in Salem.
