Shining bright: Arizonans to shine blue lights in honor of law enforcement officers
May 11, 2016, 5:30 AM | Updated: 8:53 am
(Photo courtesy of C.O.P.S. Arizona)
(Photo courtesy of C.O.P.S. Arizona)
PHOENIX — As a part of National Police Memorial Week, Arizona residents are asked to honor law enforcement officers by shining a blue light outside of their home for a special holiday.
Sunday, May 15 is Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and in honor of the holiday, residents are encouraged to participate in Project Blue Light, which shows support for officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Stacey Krueger with Concerns of Police Survivors, or C.O.P.S. Arizona, said by shining a blue light outside of their home, residents can demonstrate their support for law enforcement and remember those who have died in the line of duty.
“It’s a simple to show that you support law enforcement, and that you honor the officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” she said.
There were 122 law enforcement officers nationwide who died in the line of duty in 2015. Krueger said 35 officers have died so far this year, including 3 just this last weekend.
On average, between 105 and 203 officers died in the line of duty each year, while 50,000 officers are assaulted and 14,000 others are injured.
Arizonans can also show their support for law enforcement by purchasing a fallen officer license plate, Krueger said. A portion of the proceeds go to a fallen officer’s family to help them “rebuild their lives.”
C.O.P.S Arizona also accepts donations that will be paid to fallen officers’ families. If you would like to donate, you can do it on the group’s website at www.copsarizona.org.
