Print edition: 
Those who know Ken Lockwood, the director of Eagle Valley Raptor Center, sum up his work with orphaned and injured eagles and other birds of prey in one word: passionate.
"For me to release one — that's my high," he said.
On Saturday, Lockwood will watch Freedom, a juvenile bald eagle he has been rehabilitating since December, soar above the Arkansas River.
Freedom was found near Geuda Springs in December with a gunshot wound to the right wing.
The bald eagle, who is about 1 year old and not mature enough to have a white head yet, was turned over to Lockwood's center, a nonprofit organization in Cheney.
The public is invited to see Freedom's release at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the banks of the Arkansas River outside Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd.
The released will honor Sedgwick County sheriff's Deputy Brian Etheridge, who was killed in the line of duty Sept. 28.
"I wanted Freedom to be released in honor of Brian because he lost his life defending our freedom," Lockwood said.
Among those expected at the release, Lockwood said, are Sedgwick County Sheriff Robert Hinshaw, who will remove Freedom's hood prior to his release, as well as Etheridge's widow, Sarah Etheridge, and the Etheridges' daughter.
"After this, every time they see an eagle in the sky, I hope it helps them to remember Brian's spirit," Lockwood said.
Lockwood said he has been amazed by people's passion for eagles and for what the birds represent in the U.S.: strength, courage and freedom.
Josh Alberg, a veterinarian at Goddard Veterinary Clinic, donated his time to oversee the eagle's care.
"Two times a day I've been chasing him as hard as I can to make him fly as hard and long as he can so his chest muscles are exercised," Lockwood said.
Before the release, the public also is invited to watch a video called "American Eagle" at 2 p.m. inside Exploration Place. The video chronicles the lives of two bald eagle families.
