"Wear Blue Feb. 12" to support local law enforcement

Sheriffs Say "Wear Blue Feb. 12" after violent week for law enforcement

Following the deaths of four sheriff’s deputies and one police officer in the past four days and the wounding of another officer, the National Sheriff’s Association is encouraging law enforcement personnel, first responders and their supporters to wear blue on Friday, Feb. 12 and observe a moment of silence to honor and remember the sacrifice of the fallen officers.

Derek Geer, a Mesa County, Colo. deputy, was shot by a 17-year-old male Feb. 8 when he questioned the youth in connection with a report that he was armed. Geer was a 15-year veteran of the department.

On Feb. 10, two Harford County, Md. deputies were shot dead by a man they were trying to apprehend in a restaurant. The man shot 30-year department veteran Patrick Dailey in the head inside the restaurant and later killed Senior Deputy Mark Logsdon, a 16-year veteran, while being pursued. The suspect had been accused of assaulting police officers in Florida.

Deputy Scott Ballantyne, who had been with the Tulare County, Calif. sheriff’s office for 18 years, died Feb. 10 when the plane in which he was flying, crashed. The pilot also died. Ballantyne was en route to assist with the arrest of a man brandishing a hand gun.

Fargo, N.D. police officer Jason Moszer was shot while responding to a domestic violence call Feb. 10. Police Chief David Todd said Moszer was not expected to survive.

Riverdale, Ga. police Officer Greg ‘Lem’ Barney was fatally shot in the chest Feb. 11 while assisting Clayton County officers in serving a drug warrant.