Groveland Police Department
Jeffrey Gillen, Deputy Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Blue Ribbons Placed in Groveland by State Police Wives to Honor Law Enforcement Officers

GROVELAND – The Groveland Board of Selectmen and Groveland Police Department are pleased to announce that blue ribbons will be displayed throughout town to show support for police officers.

The initiative is spearheaded the Massachusetts State Police Wives group. The ribbons will be on display at the Town Hall, Public Safety Building, Elm Park and the Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall Elementary School to coincide with students’ civic lessons.

“This is a simple and meaningful gesture that symbolizes the sacrifice men and women have made serving their communities and country,” Deputy Gillen said.

Since 2002, 1,917 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, an average of 137 per year, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Over the same time period, 1,205 firefighters have also died in the line of duty, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Tying colored ribbons in public places has a long history in the United States, going back to the wartime tradition of tying yellow ribbons. Today, different colored ribbons are used to raise awareness about a host of issues including cancer, autism, and congenital disorders, as well as to commemorate specific tragedies including mass shootings and natural disasters.

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Blue Ribbons Placed in Groveland by State Police Wives to Honor Law Enforcement Officers

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