Officer Honored Posthumously on Anniversary of Death

Father's Day marked the three-year anniversary of the death of a Jackson (Tenn.) Police Department veteran who was killed in the line of duty. Each year since his death, his life has been celebrated during the Blue Knights of Tennessee Poker Run. This year's event made five stops prior to returning to Jackson, reported the Jackson Sun.

The honored officer, Sgt. Andy T. Bailey, was shot and killed in a parking lot while trying to apprehend a suspect. The suspect was later convicted for Bailey's murder and is serving a life sentence in prison.

Community members still feel the 30-year veteran's loss. Fellow coworkers and community members describe Bailey as having been an extraordinary and caring human being.

Jason McCallister, a deputy with the Madison County Sheriff's Department and the Blue Knights local chapter's secretary and treasurer and former president, says that each poker run has been in Bailey's honor. "We started the first year when he was killed in the line of duty. We have several different charities that we give to and the money raised goes to them."

The main charity the Blue Knights organization supports is Concern of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) The charity helps the families and co-workers of officers who have died in the line of duty, providing counseling and a camp for children of fallen law enforcement officers.