Operation Blue Sky rolling through Mid-Ohio Valley to honor fallen officers
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PARKERSBURG -- Law enforcement officers from West Virginia and Ohio will honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice Saturday with Operation Blue Sky.
Officers, deputies and troopers from agencies in Wood and Washington counties will gather at Bridgeport Equipment & Tool on Acme Street in Marietta before embarking on a procession through Marietta, Belpre, Parkersburg, Vienna and Williamstown, according to Maj. Brian P. Rhodes with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
The procession starts at 8:30 p.m. to emphasize their emergency lights flashing in tribute to officers who died in the line of duty.
Having departments from both sides of the river participate emphasizes their cooperation across state lines and jurisdictions, Rhodes said.
"We have a close working relationship with the agencies right across the river, so for an event like this, where we're paying respect and honoring all those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, it's just a good opportunity for us to get together when it's not case-related," he said.
Rhodes said people often gather along the route and wave or even hold up signs showing their appreciation of and support for law enforcement.
"(It's) almost like a parade," he said.
This year's route will go from Bridgeport Equipment along Pike Street to Third Street, then on to Putnam Street and across the Putnam Bridge to Ohio 7 via Franklin and Virginia streets. The vehicles will continue to Farson Street in Belpre, then take Washington Boulevard to the Belpre Bridge into Parkersburg.
From there, they'll go from Fourth Street to Green, Fifth and Division before taking Camden Avenue to the East Street Bridge. They'll make their way from Seventh Street to Murdoch Avenue then continue through Vienna and Williamstown as the road becomes Grand Central Avenue and West Virginia 14. The procession will turn right onto Highland Avenue before dispersing upon reaching Interstate 77.
Planning to participate in the event are the Belpre, Beverly, Lowell, Marietta, Marietta College, New Matamoras, Parkersburg, Vienna and Williamstown police departments; the Washington and Wood County sheriff's offices; the Ohio State Highway Patrol; and the West Virginia State Police.
Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board said the event is special and important.
“This is a family. Though we may not personally know each officer that pays the ultimate sacrifice one can make, that fact does not diminish the sadness felt,” he said. “It’s important we hold them and their families in our hearts and remember them in our prayers.”