Area police agencies and their personnel were saluted during a special ceremony Saturday.
Nearly 200 people attended “Back the Blue,” a first-of-its-kind event in St. Joseph County organized by a member of the White Pigeon Police Department. It took place outside Riverside Church in Three Rivers.
Ashley Zimmer, a sergeant with the White Pigeon agency, said the idea for “Back the Blue” came to her in late August and gained momentum as she continued to organize it.
She reached out to local businesses, vendors and managed to secure a dunk tank, DJ, several outdoor games and food vendors.
The highpoint of “Back the Blue” was a series of prayers, led by pastors Jamey Smith and Tracey Cole, and State Rep. Aaron Miller. The prayers centered on the safety and protection of law-enforcement officers and their family members.