What does the “Thin Blue Line” Mean? EOW: May Report for April 2024

We update this post monthly with End of Watch information from the previous month as a reminder and tribute to those who commit their lives to something greater than themselves—our communities.

EOW May 2024 Report for April

END OF WATCH: 24 Law Enforcement Patriots
in April, 2024

Visit the Officer Down Memorial Website

Let’s keep them and their families in our prayers.

  • Deputy Sheriff Jermyius Young
    Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, AL
    EOW: Friday, April 5, 2024
    Cause: Automobile crash
  • Correctional Sergeant Andrew John Faught
    Illinois Department of Corrections, IL
    EOW: Monday, April 8, 2024
    Cause: Automobile crash
  • Chief of Police Steven Allen Singer
    Lake Lafayette Police Department, MO
    EOW: Monday, April 8, 2024
    Cause: Heart attack
  • Lieutenant Rodney Osborne
    Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, OH
    EOW: Tuesday, April 9, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
  • Special Agent Derek Sean Baer
    United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, US
    EOW: Tuesday, April 9, 2024
    Cause: Automobile crash
  • Police Officer Ross Bartlett
    Ceresco Police Department, NE
    EOW: Friday, April 12, 2024
    Cause: Automobile crash
  • Police Officer Joseph McKinney
    Memphis Police Department, TN
    EOW: Friday, April 12, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Sergeant William Marty Jackson, II
    Winchester Police Department, KY
    EOW: Sunday, April 14, 2024
    Cause: Heart attack
  • Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
    Syracuse Police Department, NY
    EOW: Sunday, April 14, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Lieutenant Michael Hoosock
    Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, NY
    EOW: Sunday, April 14, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
    Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office, IN
    EOW: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
    Cause: Electrocuted
  • Investigator Brian Herbert
    Osage Nation Police Department, TR
    EOW: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
    Cause: Heart attack
  • Deputy Sheriff Alfredo “Freddy” Flores
    Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, CA
    EOW: Saturday, April 20, 2024
    Cause: Fire
  • Police Officer Jordan Wingate
    Oakland Police Department, CA
    EOW: Saturday, April 20, 2024
    Cause: Automobile crash
  • Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
    Ada County Sheriff’s Office, ID
    EOW: Sunday, April 21, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Police Officer Luis M. Huesca
    Chicago Police Department, IL
    EOW: Sunday, April 21, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
    Harris County Sheriff’s Office, TX
    EOW: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
    Cause: Struck by vehicle
  • Police Officer Kyle Hicks
    Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
    EOW: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Sergeant Ian Taylor
    Billerica Police Department, MA
    EOW: Friday, April 26, 2024
    Cause: Struck by vehicle
  • Police Officer Russell Croxton
    Dubach Police Department, LA
    EOW: Saturday, April 27, 2024
    Cause: Struck by vehicle
  • Police Officer Joshua Eyer
    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, NC
    EOW: Monday, April 29, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Investigator Samuel Poloche
    North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, NC
    EOW: Monday, April 29, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Investigator William “Alden” Elliott
    North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, NC
    EOW: Monday, April 29, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks
    United States Department of Justice – United States Marshals Service, US
    EOW: Monday, April 29, 2024
    Cause: Gunfire

END OF WATCH: 1 Law Enforcement K9
in April 2024

  • K9 Rivan
    Virginia Department of Corrections, VA
    EOW: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
    Cause: Stabbed

READ MY ARTICLE: Profile in Courage:
Military and Law Enforcement K9s

What is the History of The Thin Blue Line?

We Support Law Enforcement Thin Blue Line

Law Enforcement, or LEOs, as we fondly refer to our community heroes, have been in the news recently. However, what I found most disturbing is the lack of understanding about what these guys and gals do to protect our communities.

If you listened to the LSM (lame-stream media), you would think all law enforcement was similar to the Nazi Gestapo. And the low-information “citizens” jump on the bandwagon… How would these folks react if they called 911 and no one responded?

The Thin Blue Line is a symbol used by law enforcement in the United States and Canada to commemorate fallen officers and symbolize the police’s relationship in the community as the protectors of the citizenry from the criminal element.

Each stripe on the emblem represents certain respective figures: the blue center line represents law enforcement, the top black stripe represents the public whilst the bottom represents the criminals. The idea behind the graphic is that law enforcement (the blue line) stands between the violence and victimization by criminals of the would-be victims of crime.

Wikipedia
Thin Blue Line Bracelets, Dog Collars and Gear

Blue Lives Matter…

There are rotten eggs in any industry, field, or occupation. However, to besmirch the reputation of all LEOs, which has been commonplace as of late, to whip up a frenzy with false narratives to create a straw man purely for political gain is something particular “leaders” should be ashamed of and be taken to task for.

Common sense thinkers should not tolerate this behavior from those whose character should be above groundless accusations and inflammatory statements. We deserve better than that.

Remembering the Fallen

Thin Blue Line Memorial Order

We have been trusted to make many Thin Blue Line bracelets to memorialize fallen officers (you can view some of these patriots on our Wall of Heroes).

As with our brave Military personnel, thank them when you see a Law Enforcement Officer next time. Let them know you appreciate that they are on call for your community, knowing that they are potentially putting their lives at risk each day they put on their uniform with every phone call and traffic stop.

We have an incredible warrior class in this country – people in law enforcement and intelligence – and I thank God every night we have them standing fast to protect us from the tremendous amount of evil that exists in the world.

Brad Thor