What does the “Thin Blue Line” Mean? EOW: December 2022 Report

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

End of Watch LEO Report for November 2022

END OF WATCH: 5 Law Enforcement Patriots
in November 2022

Visit the Officer Down Memorial Page

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

  • Lieutenant Kristina Zell
    Niagara Falls Police Department, NY
    EOW: Monday, November 7, 2022
    Cause: COVID19
  • Police Officer Brandon Tsai
    Grand Prairie Police Department, TX
    EOW: Monday, November 14, 2022
    Cause: Vehicle pursuit
  • Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda
    United States Department of Homeland Security – Customs and Border Protection – Air and Marine Operations, US
    EOW: Thursday, November 17, 2022
    Cause: Gunfire
  • Police Officer Jordan Jackson
    Bellevue Police Department, WA
    EOW: Monday, November 21, 2022
    Cause: Motorcycle crash
  • Deputy Sheriff Christopher Taylor
    Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, FL
    EOW: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
    Cause: Vehicular assault

END OF WATCH: 1 Law Enforcement K9
in November 2022

  • K9 Pepper
    Greenville Police Department, NC
    EOW: Wednesday, November 16, 2022
    Cause: Animal related

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

What is the History of The 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?

Thin Blue Line Symbol
Thin Blue Line Symbol

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

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. We The People, should not tolerate this behavior from those whose character should be above groundless accusations and inflammatory statements. We deserve better than that.

Some facts from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (Stop by and donate.):

What is the meaning of the Thin Blue Line?
  • More than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers are now serving in the United States, which is the highest figure ever. About 12 percent of those are female.
  • Crime fighting has taken its toll. Since the first recorded police death in 1786, over 21,000 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. Currently, there are 21,910 names engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
  • A total of 1,582 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 55 hours or 158 per year. 158 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2018.
  • According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report 2017 LEOKA report:
  • There have been 60,211 assaults against law enforcement officers in 2017, resulting in 17,476 injuries.
  • The 1920s were the deadliest decade in law enforcement history, when a total of 2,480 officers died, or an average of almost 248 each year. The deadliest year in law enforcement history was 1930, when 310 officers were killed. That figure dropped dramatically in the 1990s, to an average of 162 per year.
  • The deadliest day in law enforcement history was September 11, 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks on America.
  • New York City Police Department has lost more officers in the line of duty than any other department, with 899 deaths. Texas has lost 1,751 officers, more than any other state. The state with the fewest deaths is Vermont, with 24.
  • There are 1,166 federal officers listed on the Memorial, 713 correctional officers, and 43 military law enforcement officers.
  • There are 348 female officers listed on the Memorial; eleven female officers were killed in 2018.
Thin Blue Line Memorial Order

We have been trusted with the honor of making many a Thin Blue Line bracelet in memorial to fallen officers (you can view some of these patriots on our Wall of Heroes).

Just 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.

Thin Blue Line Support from Para-cord Paul

Would you please share this post so that their heroism is not forgotten? Thank you.

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