HONORING OUR FALLEN
ALWAYS REMEMBER | NEVER FORGET
BLUE 815 began as an effort to rename the Morgan Street Bridge (pictured left) in Rockford, IL to be the Police Memorial Bridge. This beautiful structure, in a historic location, was lit up blue in the wake of Officer Jaimie Cox's line-of-duty death in November 2017. Though our city and bridge committee members could not reach an agreement, we still believe this bridge is a beautiful tribute to our fallen when it is lit up blue, and we still believe in honoring, remembering, and never forgetting those behind the badge who gave all for the safety of our community. This bridge symbolizes our efforts to bridge our citizens and law enforcement.
BLUE 815 vows to always honor and never forget our fallen.
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN OFFICERS
from departments across Winnebago County, Illinois
UNOFFICIAL MEMORIAL MANAGEMENT
In January 2021, BLUE 815 took on the task of upkeep & replacement of unofficial officer memorials including crosses placed within the community for Officer Jaimie Cox, Rockford Police Department, and Deputy Jacob Keltner, McHenry County Sheriff's Office. BLUE 815 will check on these memorials monthly or bi-monthly, clean up the areas they are in, and replace the memorials as necessary.
A replacement cross is currently being constructed for Deputy Keltner's original cross (pictured) that was damaged. We hope to have a new cross placed in 2021.
OFFICER JAIMIE COX MEMORIAL CROSS
Rockford, IL
DEPUTY JACOB KELTNER MEMORIAL CROSS
Rockford, IL
FALLEN OFFICER
MEMORIAL BENCH
Located at Rockford Police Department District 3
WE REMEMBER - "FREEDOM ON"
Joseph "Kelly" Lazo (far left), Joseph "Joe" Paglia (middle), and Michael White (right)
Niles Police Department | Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Chicago Chapter
Sgt. Lazo and Retired Detective Paglia along with Community Service Officer Michael White of Niles PD and all members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Chicago Chapter were celebrating their MC's anniversary in Kerr County, Texas on July 18, 2020 when a northbound drunk driver swerved and hit several members of their club who were heading southbound after going out to lunch. Paglia and White were killed instantly in the crash. Lazo was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries on July 31, 2020.
BLUE 815 collected donations from the Rockford community throughout August 2020 and were able to donate blessing bags for each officer of the Niles Police Department in their honor.
“Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.”