State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) welcomed law enforcement officials and staff from WGNA radio station to the Senate today for passage of his resolution recognizing as February 12th to be "Blue Friday" in New York State.
"The first year we started doing this was in 2005, and I worked with radio station WGNA in creating this official State day to salute fallen law enforcement officers, and to support the families of fallen officers," Senator Farley said.
On February 12th, the State will salute both the officers that make sacrifices every day to keep us safe and those who lost their lives in the line of duty, Senator Farley said.
Senator Farley said staff at WGNA is once again spearheading a fund-raiser effort on Blue Friday to raise money for the Capital District Chapter of C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), an organization that helps law enforcement families. WGNA will be at the following locations accepting donations: DeNooyer Chevrolet, 127 Wolf Road, Colonie with radio personalities Sean and Richie; Pizzeria Uno, Exit 15 of the Northway, Saratoga with Jeff Levack; and at Regency Inn & Suites, 416 Southern Blvd, Albany with Casey Danton.For more information on "Blue Friday," click here [3] and here [4]. Both WGNA [5] and the national C.O.P.S. [6] organization have FaceBook pages.
C.O.P.S. was organized in 1984 and has grown into an organization with 48 chapters throughout the United States and an affiliate in the United Kingdom. Its mission is to help rebuild the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty by serving as a clearinghouse for federal and state benefits information and resources that may be available to the surviving families.
"It is so tragic that between 140 and 160 officers are killed nationwide in the line of duty every year," Senator Farley said. "It is not only a loss to their families but to the communities that they served."
"We recognize this annual event in the New York State Senate and I was proud to once again have the WGNA team on hand as the State resolution was approved in the Senate Session," Senator Farley said. "I encourage my fellow Senate colleagues and my constituents to wear the color blue on February 12th to show respect for those killed in the line of duty and to show how grateful we are for the service of the brave men and women who are currently serving in law enforcement."
