The 9’ tall tree is to honor all 142 officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, with blue ornaments, handwritten with the officer’s rank, title, name, department and End Of Watch date. The idea came from a few Boone County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers who, after losing one of our own, thought it would be a good idea to honor all officers, nationwide, who have died in the line of duty this year.After the approval from Sheriff Mike Nielsen, the communications officers, along with BCSO Chaplains, made quick work of the shrine. Each blue bulb (ornament) was hung with care and the tree was topped with an angel. On Friday, December 7th the number of fallen was 137. Since then, five more officers have lost their life including the most recent hero: Officer Edgar Isidro Flores with Dekalb County, GA Police Department E.O.W. 12/13/2018, bringing the number up to 142. Those bulbs are currently being added to the tree.
After the season, each ornament will be mailed to their respective departments across the nation. Sheriff Nielsen stated “This was an idea that came to me from three of our communications officers, last Friday evening. Once I heard of the idea I was “ALL IN” on the project. They worked with our chaplains and ran with it. What a great way to honor Jake and all those that have paid that ultimate sacrifice. We will never forget!”