South Dakota leaders are encouraging people to honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Project Blue Light participants display blue lights to recognize fallen officers.
Harrisburg Mayor Julie Burke-Bowen knew about the blue lights when she lived on the east coast. She launched the effort in South Dakota four years ago when she was police commissioner in Harrisburg, and she has a mission.
"The first thing is to remember the families and to remember the fallen officers but to also remember the families that are left behind," Burke-Bowen says. "The second piece is to, very simply, put a blue light in your window, put a blue bulb on your tree, and, when people ask you about that, you remind them of the currently serving officers and the peace that they provide us."
Burke-Bowen says the blue lights encourage law enforcement officers across the state. Supporters held a ceremonial kickoff for Project Blue Light Tuesday evening in Sioux Falls. They hope to promote the blue light displays through the holiday season and into the new year.
"It was started out in Philadelphia about 22 years ago, and it’s slowly come across the nation. And different precincts and different cities and municipalities are starting to to also have a ceremony and also take part in this part of education of having a blue light in your window to support police officers," Burke-Bowen says.
This is the fourth year for Project Blue Light in South Dakota. The blue lights displayed nationwide symbolize peace.
This year’s recognition program included a reading of all of the names of South Dakota’s fallen officers. The list dates back to 1884 and ends with three officers who died in 2011.
Click here to view South Dakota's complete list of fallen law enforcement officers.