Hundreds came out to Canfield today in support local law enforcement at the fourth annual Back the Blue Ohio rally, car show, and fun day for kids. There were bounce houses and family friendly activities including a classic car show.
Hundreds came out to Canfield today in support local law enforcement at the fourth annual Back the Blue Ohio rally, car show, and fun day for kids.
There were bounce houses and family friendly activities including a classic car show.
The event started off with kick stands up at noon at the Manor in Austintown.
There was a police escort to the Canfield Green.
Some dedicated volunteers assist Christine Oliver and her husband Sam put on this event that benefits children of fallen officers in Ohio.
Christine Oliver and her husband Sam a retired Mahoning County sheriff’s deputy began the non profit and since then the event has grown.
Ohio ranks fifth in America in the number of officers who die in the line of duty.
“We are honoring Wyandot County Deputy Daniel Kin who died in the lind of duty in 2022, ten days until Christmas. The officer from Sandusky was 34 years old and has two children,” explained co-founder Christine Oliver.
The non-profit also remembered Clark County Deputy Matthew Yates who was shot and killed in the line of duty, as he responded to reports of a woman trapped by her son in a mobile home July 24, 2022. He has two sons and was 41 years old.
“They have young children still at home, so that’s what we are doing here today honoring those two families, and thinking about all the law enforcement families across the United States, that sacrifice every day,” Christine Oliver said.
Young Financial Group has been raising money form customer appreciation events throughout the year and so far they have raised $5,200 for Back the Blue Ohio, to help children of fallen Officers.
A number of state and local lawmakers talked about the sacrifices officers make, and said they hope more people respect them for protecting and serving our communities.
State Senator Michael Rulli, State Representative Al Cutrona, Mahoning Commissioners Dave Ditzler and Anthony Trafficanti, Austintown Trustee Robert Santos, Police Chief Chuck Collucci, and Mahoning Prosecutor Gina DeGenova all spoke at the Back the Blue Ohio Rally.
Around 900,000 law enforcement officers work in the United States, to help protect and serve more than 334 million residents.
Source : WFMJ
