Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers, members of the Springfield Police Department, Sheriff Nick Cocchi, City Councilor Melvin Edwards, Police Department Chaplain Father William Hamilton, other officials, and family of fallen officers for the Springfield Police Department’s Project Blue Light Ceremony on Thursday evening. The Songstress of Springfield Vanessa Ford performed the National Anthem.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “We must always remember and never forget the brave, dedicated and compassionate police officers who lost their lives protecting those in need. Their families suffer every day, especially during the holidays with that empty chair at the table. Our brave and dedicated officers are sentinels of peace. May God rest their souls and may God protect our men and women in blue and their families too.”
Project Blue Light is a nationwide recognition of those Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. It began in 1988 when the surviving mother-in-law of a Philadelphia Police Officer killed in the line of duty told Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) that she would put two blue lights in her window to remember her son-in-law and her daughter who was killed in a car crash. “Project Blue Light” now burns bright in the hearts of nearly 15,000 surviving families of American’s fallen law enforcement officers.
Also, on Thursday in honor of “Project Blue Light” Monarch Tower will be turning blue in honor of fallen Springfield Police Officers. We thank and want to recognize Monarch Place and Paul Picknelly for this symbolic gesture. We will be asking residents to place a blue light bulb on the porch or in a candle in their window to show their appreciation for police officers throughout the holiday season.
