May 25, 2016
Arizonans encouraged participating in Project Blue Light after Phoenix officer shot
ARIZONA – The Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Arizona chapter is encouraging Arizonans to light homes and businesses blue after a Phoenix officer was shot in the line of duty. Project Blue Light aims to radiate the public’s support of law enforcement.
C.O.P.S.’ Project Blue Light is a way to honor the officers who serve and protect while remembering those who have died in the line of duty. It began in 1988 in Philadelphia when Dolly Craig wrote a letter to Concerns of Police Survivors stating that she would be honoring her late son-in-law, Philadelphia Police Officer Danny Gleason, during the holiday season by placing a blue light in her window. In 1999 the Horsham Township Police Department planted a tree in Deep Meadow Park on Horsham Road as a memorial to those officers. The evergreen tree is decorated every holiday season with 1,000 blue lights representing all Law Enforcement Officers. We would like to ask each of you to please consider placing a blue light in your window during the holiday season to show your support for your police officers.
Arizona has lost 9 officers within the last 2 years. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, as of today, 35 officers have died in the line of duty in 2016 nationwide — 17 by firearms. On average, between 105 and 203 officers die in the line of duty each year, 50,000 officers are assaulted in the line of duty each year and 14,000 officers are injured in the line of duty each year.
C.O.P.S. Arizona financially assists survivors to attend National Police Week and to attend retreats. If the public would like to help assist fallen officer families and co-workers, donations are always accepted via C.O.P.S. Arizona’s website at www.copsarizona.org. Contributions to C.O.P.S. Arizona are tax deductible under I.R.S. rule 501(c)3 and receipts are sent with every donation. Additionally, Arizonans can pay respect to fallen officers year-round by purchasing a Fallen Officer specialty license plate for their vehicle. State citizens can order an Arizona C.O.P.S. specialty plate through ServiceArizona.com.
