For the past 22 years, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) has asked law enforcement families, surviving families, and police supporters to put a "blue light" in their windows during the holiday season as a symbol of remembrance of those officers who have made the supreme sacrifice.
It also honors those officers who continue to work the violent streets of our nation.
The idea began in 1988, when Dolly Craig wrote to C.O.P.S. that she would be putting two blue candles in her living room window that holiday season. The first would be for Daniel Gleason, her son-in-law who had been killed in the line of duty on June 5, 1986, while serving the Philadelphia Police Department.
The second would be for Pam Gleason, her daughter and Danny's wife who had been killed in an automobile accident in August 1988. Danny and Pam had six children.
Dolly Craig is now deceased, but the idea is her legacy. Project Blue Light now burns bright in the hearts of the nearly 15,000 surviving families of America's fallen law enforcement officers during the holiday season.
"Everyone who appreciates law enforcement should get involved with Project Blue Light," according to Linda Gregory, national president of C.O.P.S. "Project Blue Light allows citizens to show support for local law enforcement and the heroes who have been killed in the line of duty."
Participating in Project Blue Light could involve decorating with blue lights or simply inserting a single blue bulb in the candlestick replicas that adorn many windows in homes or businesses. C.O.P.S. also encourages law enforcement agencies to decorate the precinct stations and headquarters in blue lights.
"The color blue is symbolic of peace," according to the group. "By displaying blue lights in your holiday decorations, you will be sending a dual message — that you support America's peacekeepers and that you hope the coming year will be a year of peace.
Visit the C.O.P.S. Website to order an LED blue light developed by Streamlight especially for Concerns of Police Survivors.
