HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania State Police is asking people once again this year to display a blue light in their home or office window during the holiday season to remember fallen law enforcement officers and their survivors.
“The color blue is symbolic of peace and by displaying blue lights, you will show that you support America’s Peacekeepers,” said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan.
“Any law enforcement officer passing by the blue light on a dark, cold winter’s night may be warmed by the kindness it implies.”
Since the Pennsylvania State Police was founded in 1905, 94 members have been killed in the line of duty.
The most recent death occurred on Oct. 4, 2012, when Trooper First Class Blake T. Coble’s patrol car was struck by a tractor-trailer truck at a Beaver County intersection. Coble, who was 47 years old, is survived by his widow and two children.
“During the holiday season we are asking citizens and businesses to include at least one blue light in their holiday window decorations to show support to our active officers and honor the heroes who have been killed in the line of duty,” Noonan said.
Project Blue Light was developed by Concerns of Police Survivors Inc. (COPS), a nonprofit organization based in Camdenton, Mo., which represents more than 15,000 families of officers killed in the line of duty.
For information about the Pennsylvania State Police, visit their Web site at www.psp.state.pa.us.