Lapel Pins, Patches & Coins

Last week the city of Indianapolis had the privilege to honor the life of a fallen hero, Officer David Moore, as we laid him to rest.  Many stories emerged from this tragedy that invoked great action and emotion from not only the Indianapolis community, but from communities all over the country.  One story that stood out to me was the fact his mother and father are both veterans of the IMPD force.  A local news station covered the story of the first officer to respond to the crime scene where Officer Moore was shot, and how this officer wore the same badge number that Officer Moore's mother wore when she was new to the force.  To Sgt. Jo Moore this was a sign that she was always with her son, and a sign as to how all men and women who wear the uniform are tied together.  You can read more about Officer Moore and his family here.

Any person can wear a lapel pin, or an embroidered patch, or carry around a challenge coin and be proud of how they earned it.  But there is an honor in putting on a Police Badge that only a few in our community can know.  They wear it with pride and we should be thankful for all that they are willing to sacrifice.  As I see officers wearing memorial lapel pins, and embroidered patches I feel compelled to stop and give thanks, they are truly the thin blue line.