Behind the Badge – by Lou Ponsi
The line of walkers, about 200 strong and strung out over a quarter mile, made their way along some of Tustin’s main thoroughfares.
Many waved U.S. flags, divided with a blue line down the middle – the universal symbol for law enforcement – and others displayed homemade signs reading, “RESPECT POLICE,” “I WALK FOR LAW ENFORCMENT,” and “POLICE MATTER.”
Motorists honked their horns in support as they drove past.
Judging by the number of motorists who honked their horns as they passed the procession, the second Walk for Law Enforcement was successful in getting its message out.
The walk took place Sept. 15, drawing about three times the number of attendees as the inaugural walk in 2017.
“It’s really just blown up,” said Valerie Mann, a staunch police advocate and organizer of the event. “They put their lives on the line every day and the least that they deserve is something like this.”
Mann has made numerous gestures in recent years, all designed to recognize and thank law enforcement for keeping communities safe.
Mann’s Facebook page, “The Thin Blue Line Supporters,” draws nationwide support and has close to 20,000 members.
In past years, Mann has organized events such as Operation Cookie, where she delivered cookies to the police department and asked her Facebook followers to do the same in their hometowns. She also has made it a tradition to drop off homemade holiday ornaments to local departments.
In 2016, Mann donated 40 care packages to Tustin patrol officers and a bag of snacks and supplies for the communications team, paying for most of the items out of her own pocket.
“It means so much to the officers to know that there are people out there that support us,” said Tustin Lt. Bob Wright, who also participated in the walk. “We really appreciate all of Valerie’s efforts and we’re overwhelmed at times with the generosity that she shows us. We are also very appreciative of the generosity and support from the community we serve.”
Part of Mann’s support for law enforcement stems from having two brothers who are officers.
A number of walkers were family members and friends of Tustin officers and officers from other cities.
“It’s really comforting to know that there are other people out there (who support the police),” said Natalie McDonough, whose husband is a Huntington Beach police officer.
Dozens of children also walked, including Dylan Vella, the son of a Huntington Beach officer who pilots one of the agency’s helicopters.
“My dad is a police officer and he is really a good pilot and I just really want to support him and all the police officers who are here today,” Vella, 14, said.
At the end of the walk, those who participated gathered for a group photo in front of the police department and many were rewarded with law enforcement items that Mann made for those who came out for the walk.
http://behindthebadge.com/cities/tpd/citizens-walk-tustin-to-support-police/
Boot licking done correctly.
Those same boots will soon be on their necks, but, cookies!
WITH BRAIN-DEAD PEOPLE LIKE THIS, WHO NEEDS A POLICE STATE? THEY’RE ALREADY STEAKS ON THE TABLE BY CHOICE AND CONSENT! THESE TORIES ARE THE VERY ONES WHO’LL SELL THEIR OWN CHILDREN AND CONDEMN THEM TO SLAVERY!
THATS IT!!!!!!! DO LIKE KOYOTE AND SCREAM AT THE SUMBITCHES!!!!
SOMEBODYS’ BOUND TO HEAR!!! (JUST JERKIN YER CHAIN BROTHER) “STEAKS ON THE TABLE”
LMAO!!! THATS GOOD STUFF RIGHT THERE………….
Pussy/Moron parade…
I fart in your dinner direction.
Shame that most their children will be the same.
One person being questioned about why they’re marching replied “Baaa-aaah”.
In response, another fellow supporter chimed in with “Baaah-baaaah, muricah, flag, anthem, military, freedumb.”
I am Martist, reporting for Wnwo in police state, muricah.
“It’s really just blown up,” said Valerie Mann, a staunch police advocate and organizer of the event. “They put their lives on the line every day and the least that they deserve is something like this.””
YES, THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY IN THE ACT OF BREAKING AMERICAN LAW………… I’M NOT EVEN GOING TO GET INTO WHAT THEY “DESERVE”………………….