Ever since San Bernardino police Officer Gabriel Garcia was  shot in the head  last week and hospitalized in critical condition, residents and others from out of state have been lighting their porches blue at night in support of Garcia and his colleagues at the San Bernardino Police Department.

“Obviously, officers like to know that they’re supported,” Police Department spokesman Rich Lawhead told The Sun . “Sometimes they don’t necessarily know how much they are supported ... but when they see a blue light like that, it is kind of a booster.”

Since Garcia was wounded in an Aug. 22 gun battle and taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, where he remains, San Bernardino residents and members of the greater law enforcement community have written letters, attended prayer services and now have illuminated their porches, blue, if possible.

Earlier this week, residents reported local hardware stores were sold out of blue bulbs.