Alabama Capitol lit in blue to honor nation’s law enforcement

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Alabama Capitol blue

In the wake of the shooting spree that left three Baton Rouge police officers dead, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley announced Monday the Alabama State Capitol will be illuminated blue every night this week to honor the men and women who willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect all in Alabama and across the nation.

The State Capitol will be illuminated blue this week through Friday night.

Alabama State Capitol blue
The Alabama State Capitol illuminated blue Monday night, July 18, 2016. [Photo Credit: Geneva Wilkerson ‏@Handmaiden4Him2 on Twitter]

“On Sunday, I was troubled and truly heartbroken to hear of yet another act of senseless violence, this time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,” said Bentley. “Alabama joins the rest of the nation in praying for the men and women who sacrifice so much to safeguard us daily. This week we are illuminating the State Capitol blue to show Alabama’s support for law enforcement locally and across the country. The contributions and sacrifices made by these men and women are immeasurable, and it is important for us as Alabamians and Americans to honor them.”

The shootings in Baton Rouge occurred Sunday morning when police responded to a 911 call that a man dressed in black and armed with what appeared to be an ­assault-style rifle was walking near a shopping plaza roughly a mile from police headquarters. There, three law enforcement officers were killed and three others wounded.

The shootings were a gut-punch to the nation already heartbroken over other recent killings by police and the shooting of five police officers in Dallas by a lone gunman just last week.

Alabama has approximately 16,000 municipal, county and state law enforcement officers.

“Law enforcement is a calling that is answered daily, by people who are willing to face the dangers and perils awaiting them to serve a greater good,” Secretary of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Stan Stabler said. “These brave men and women are committed to service; they are our fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. They have a sense of commitment and honor to place their lives in jeopardy to protect the lives of others. Over the past few weeks, a series of tragic, heartbreaking events have reminded the nation how difficult and important a law enforcement officer’s job is every day. It is my honor to serve side-by-side with law enforcement officers across Alabama and the nation.”

Gov. Bentley is asking Alabamians to continue to keep law enforcement officers and their families in their prayers as they continue their commitment to serve and protect our rights as citizens.

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