Indiana county installs blue Christmas tree in honor of officers killed in the line of duty
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A special tribute to fallen officers is on display at the Boone County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana.
They installed a Christmas tree with 137 blue ornaments to represent the 137 officers killed in the line of duty this year, including Boone County’s own Deputy Jacob Pickett.
“It means a lot to all of us – we were all very close. He was a wonderful officer, and it’s our way of honoring him and the other 136 officers that have been killed this year,” said Mike Gideon, Boone County Senior Dispatch Officer.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Each ornament was hand-written with the officer’s name, rank, and end of watch date.
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"That's a life. That's a life that matters. That's a chair that's empty. That's a car that's not being driven. That is an incredible hero that's no longer walking our streets, so it meant something,” said Joni Scott, Boone Co Sheriff’s Office Chaplain.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After Christmas, each ornament will be sent to the department where the officer worked.