A large crowd gathered Monday afternoon at the Lubbock Police Department to meet with and thank local police officers for “Back the Blue Day.”
Back the Blue Day was started by the online ministry group, “Beautifully Designed.” The group’s leader, Ashley Shepherd, challenged her followers to take initiative in their own communities and put on the event.
Sarah Hale decided to accept that challenge.
When Hale began coordinating the event, she said she expected only about eight to 10 families to participate. On Monday night she wrote in the event’s Facebook page that approximately 250 people showed up to the event.
“Thank you to the community of Lubbock for all of your support and for just making this possible. I just want our officers to know that we really care and we stand behind them and we understand the risks that they take,” said Hale. “Everyday they put on that uniform and go out to protect us, and so I just want them to know that we care and we love them and we’re praying for them and their safety is of our concern.”
Nevaeh Gallegos, a seventh grader with Terra Vista Middle School, attended the event with some friends. She says she was amazed by the crowd and prayers made for LPD.
“They [LPD] are like real life super heroes,” said Gallegos. “They risk their lives everyday just for our safety. I mean you never know, they might not get to come home. So I think that ‘s pretty cool how they do that for us.”
Hundreds of ‘thank you’ cards and hugs were exchanged between law enforcement and attendees, but it may have felt a little more emotional for those in uniform.
“It’s fantastic. We very seldom get to interact with the children simply because going from call to call, so in situations like this where they come to us show us this kind of love and support. It’s just been an awesome experience,” said Lt. Ray Mendoza with the Lubbock Police Department. “The citizens of Lubbock are the greatest citizens we could ever wish for.”
Hale said she and the participants were able to rack up hundreds of donations for law enforcement which included: water bottles, snacks, hand sanitizers, tissues and even some candy.
In addition to the Lubbock police department, donations were also given to DPS, Texas Tech PD and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office.
