Officers gather at Heritage Lake for ‘Back the Blue’ event

A group of police officers begin their parade around Heritage Lake Saturday evening.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

HERITAGE LAKE — What started with some residents wanting to express their support for law enforcement ended with a parade of 30 officers from eight departments around Heritage Drive Saturday evening.

In mid-September, some community members came up with the idea to use blue lights to “Back the Blue.” The plan was to enlist sponsors that purchased 500 blue light bulbs to light up the community. Over the course of two weeks, the bulbs were passed out to residents, with some neighbors buying their own bulbs to be a part of the event.

Property manager Ken Rozelle, who is also a reserve deputy for the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, was tasked with contacting officers and their families to meet on Saturday evening at the Floyd Township Fire Station. After having some grilled burgers and hot dogs, the officers loaded in their vehicles to begin a slow-paced lap around Heritage Drive.

The parade was led by the parents of fallen Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Breann Leath.

“The reception of the community was beyond belief,” Rozelle said. “Families were waiting along the roadway all around the eight miles of Heritage Drive.”

Halfway around the lake, the officers drove through the clubhouse area, where they found about 200 people clapping and cheering.

At the clubhouse, each officer was haded a gift bag while enjoying a light show with fireworks donated by Mortonville Fireworks of Bainbridge and set off by lake resident Matt Ludlow.

“Once we made our way back to our vehicles to finish the parade for the remaining part of the lake, we continued to find families still waiting along the roadside to show their appreciation also,” Rozelle said.

The agencies participating were the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Indiana Conservation, IMPD, Bainbridge, Roachdale, Brownsburg and Lizton.

“I can tell you for sure,” Rozelle said, “we all appreciated it as much as the residents showed their appreciation to us. It was a moment we will not forget.”

Afterward, one officer said, “If that didn’t restore your faith in humanity...nothing will.”