By Chris Chrystal
Residents and businesses in Nevada’s state capital can show support for Carson City sheriff’s deputies and all law enforcement this spring by shining a blue porch light, Mayor Bob Crowell said Tuesday.
“Police officers endanger their lives every day responding to 911 calls and patrolling our neighborhoods, streets and highways,” Crowell said. “Let’s join the national blue lights movement and do a small deed to send a big message by simply replacing your front porch light with a blue bulb, which Carson City residents can get at no cost.”
Free blue light bulbs are available at several locations:
— Dick Campagni’s Carson City Toyota, 2590 South Carson St.
— Capital Ford, 3660 South Carson St.
— Carson City Sheriff’s Office, 911 East Musser St.
Campagni partnered with Nevada electrical distributor Wedco Inc., which is supplying the bulbs. Toyota General Manager Dana Whaley invites the public to pick up a complimentary bulb and help turn Carson City blue through May.
Wedco’s free bulbs also will be available at this year’s 21st Annual Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony May 3 at 1 p.m. on the Nevada Capitol Grounds. The event honors those killed in the line of duty.
“We know that our sheriff’s deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol must deal with tragic, violent, threatening situations every day they are on duty,” Wedco President Rich Stoltz said. “A blue light shines as a beacon to police both on and off duty and Wedco is proud to be a part of this community support system for these brave officers.”
Nevada’s memorial ceremony will honor the 132 fallen officers since 1861. The most recent death was Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Charleston Vernon Hartfield, killed in the Oct. 1, 2017, massacre at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on the Strip. National Park Service Ranger T.K. Brown, who died at Lake Mead in 1973, was included on the list in the past year.
The ceremony precedes National Police Week, May 13-19, created in 1962 by President John Kennedy and a joint resolution of Congress.
“Our officers sincerely appreciate seeing a blue light shining in the darkness from someone’s porch, yard or the front of a business,” Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong said. “Every day, law enforcement officers know the tremendous risks and dangers, and when they see the sign of community support a blue light delivers it means more than I can express.”
Last year, when Shine Blue Lights began, the Carson City Board of Supervisors proclaimed it should be observed annually. “Some residents have chosen to leave their blue porch lights shining all year, so their support will always be visible to our deputies and other law enforcement officers,” the mayor said.
The 2018 Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Run begins Wednesday, April 25 in Las Vegas and runs to May 3 where it ends in Carson City at the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Nevada State Capitol Grounds.
Purpose of Memorial Run: To honor those listed on the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Carson City, Nev.
— To bring public attention to those listed on the Memorial and to the dedication and sacrifice made by all Nevada Law Enforcement Officers.
— To bring together Nevada Law Enforcement Officers and supporters for the single purpose of supporting each other with an endeavor to support the goals and purpose of the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Commission.
The run is supported by the Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Police Association and the Nevada Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, various law enforcement employee associations including rank and file peace officers and deputies.
The 19th annual Memorial Run is organized as a means to bring recognition to National Police Memorial Week and all Nevada law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Each leg of the Memorial run represents an Officer listed on the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. As of 2018, 131 names will be on the Memorial, therefore 131 legs will be ran during this week.
Method of the Memorial Run
Each participant shall run a specific distance carrying a baton containing the names of the officers on the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The Memorial Run and individual runners shall be directed by specific area coordinators who will be in charge of their respective areas.
Runners from each area jurisdiction shall be selected as runners; coordinators may designate runners as necessary. All law enforcement entities or jurisdictions are welcome
and will be allowed to participate. Runners must be from the ranks of active Nevada peace officers, retired peace officers, and Federal Law Enforcement agencies.
2018 Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony
Date and Time: Thursday, May 3, 2018, 1 p.m.
Location: Nevada State Capitol Grounds, Carson City
