CRESTVIEW — A retired police officer wants to show his thanks for those on the force, and help others do the same.
Joe Phipps, his wife, Melissa, and their children, Cassie, 12, Hailey, 10, and Austin, 8, make wooden signs with the thin blue line, a symbol of support for law enforcement officials. Neighbors display the signs.
Hearing about a Texas man who painted blue lines on his curb to honor a fallen officer inspired the project. "We play around with wood all the time and decided to just make a few signs to let the officers in the neighborhood know that we do love and respect them, and appreciate what they do," Joe said.
Many residents on Young Road and beyond have expressed interest in the signs, particularly after the Tuesday morning shooting death of Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy Bill Myers in Shalimar.
"What a wonderful gesture that family is doing for our blue line family!" Carey Williams said on the News Bulletin's Facebook page.
"We got ours! And so grateful!" Jorene Powell said. "This is such a wonderful idea for the community and our local (law enforcement officers)."
Joe — who served 20 years on the police force, retiring a year ago in Colorado — said he is mourning the loss of Myers. "I never met Myers, I've probably never seen him; but hearing about his death, it hurt me as if he was my best friend for life," Joe said.
"He was family. And it doesn't matter if you work with them, know them; wear the same uniform or badge, it's a family, and when one gets hurt, we all hurt."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview family makes signs to thank law enforcement, remember fallen deputy